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ILLINOIS 

IN  THE 

WORLD  WAR 


EDITED  BY 

THEODORE  CALVIN  PEASE 

UNIVERSITY    OF    ILLINOIS 


VOLUME  I 


ILLINOIS 
STATE  HISTORICAL  LIBRARY 


BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES 

EvARTS  BouTELL  Greene,  President 

Charles  Henry  Rammelkamp,  Vice-President 

Otto  Leopold  Schmidt,  Secretary 


Jessie  Palmer  Weber,  Librarian 
Theodore  Calvin  Pease,  Editor 


ADVISORY  COMMISSION 

Evarts  Boutell  Greene 

William  Edward  Dodd 

James  Alton  James 

Andrew  Cunningham  McLaughlin 

Edward  Carleton  Page 

Charles  Henry  Rammelkamp 


GOVERNOR   LEN    SMALL 


ILLINOIS  IN  THE  WORLD  WAR 

VOLUME  I 


THE 
HISTORYOFTHE  33rd  DIVISION 

A.  E.  F. 


BY 


FREDERIC  LOUIS  HUIDEKOPER 
Former  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Adjutant  General, 
United    States    Armt,    and    Division    Adjutant, 
33rd  Division,  Author  of  'Military  Studies/  'The 
Military  Unpreparedness  of  the  United  States.' 


Published  by  the 
ILLINOIS  STATE  HISTORICAL  LIBRARY 

SPRINGFIELD,  ILLINOIS 
1921 


Copyright,  1921 

BY 

The   Illinois  State   Historical  Librart 


ILLINOIS    PRINTING    COMPANY 
DANVILLE,  ILLINOIS 


PREFACE 

It  should  be  a  peculiar  gratification  to  the  people  of 
Illinois  that  the  war  history  of  the  Illinois  National  Guard  as 
represented  in  the  33rd  Division  has  been  written  by  a  military 
historian  so  eminent  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  Frederic  L.  Huide- 
koper.  As  Division  Adjutant  of  the  33rd  Division  he 
enjoyed  access  to  original  reports  and  records  which,  supple- 
mented by  his  personal  knowledge  of  many  of  the  events 
described  and  by  his  private  diary,  gave  him  most  excellent 
materials  for  his  task.  Upon  his  presentation  of  the  history 
to  the  Governor  of  the  State  of  Illinois  in  April,  1919,  the 
Governor  assigned  to  the  Illinois  State  Historical  Library  the 
task  of  publishing  it,  under  an  appropriation  made  by  the 
General  Assembly.  As  published,  the  complete  work  consists 
of  four  volumes :  Volumes  I,  II,  and  III  contain  the  narrative 
and  a  series  of  appendices  comprising  in  great  part  the 
material  on  which  the  narrative  is  based;  Volume  IV  is  a  port- 
folio containing  a  series  of  maps  of  the  division's  operations. 
For  general  distribution  a  larger  edition,  containing  only  the 
narrative  text,  has  been  prepared. 

Acknowledgments  are  due  to  various  persons  for  the 
share  they  have  had  in  bringing  the  undertaking  to  a  success- 
ful conclusion.  After  Governor  Frank  O.  Lowden  had 
entrusted  to  the  library  the  task  of  publication,  he  retained  his 
interest  in  the  task  and  supported  and  assisted  in  every  v/ay  its 
prosecution.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Huidekoper  has  given 
assistance  in  the  many  difficulties  of  preparing  for  the  press  so 
elaborate  a  work  and  has  read  the  book  in  proof.  Major 
General  George  Bell,  Jr.,  former  commander  of  the  33rd 
Division,  read  the  entire  work  in  manuscript  and  has  given 
assistance  in  many  ways,  notably  in  obtaining  the  assistance  of 
Captain  Clyde  L.  Thompson,  U.  S.  A.,  retired,  in  redrawing 
the  maps.  To  Captain  Thompson  the  debt  of  this  office  is, 
indeed,    a    great   one.      He   supervised   and    in   considerable 


PREFACE 

measure  assisted  in  redrafting  the  maps  and  preparing  them 
for  the  engraver,  a  task  that  could  only  be  performed  by  one 
combining  the  qualifications  of  an  expert  draftsman  and  a 
skillful  military  officer.  The  photographs  of  the  operations 
of  the  108th  Engineers  owe  their  excellence  to  the  work  of 
Master  Engineers  Wilber  F.  Willis  and  Frank  T.  Farrell,  and 
to  the  supervision  of  Colonel  Henry  A.  Allen.  Further,  the 
editor  Is  much  indebted  to  Colonel  Allen  for  his  constant  and 
helpful  interest  in  the  publication.  Professor  Clarence  W. 
Alvord,  former  editor  of  the  Illinois  Historical  Collections, 
had  the  task  of  deciding  on  the  form  and  manner  of  publica- 
tion, and  with  Miss  Mary  E.  Wheelhouse  and  Mrs.  Leila  W. 
Tilton,  formerly  editorial  assistants  In  the  office,  performed 
most  of  the  labor  of  preparing  the  book  for  the  press.  Miss 
Nellie  C.  Armstrong,  now  editorial  assistant  In  the  office, 
after  assisting  in  the  preparation  of  the  book  for  the  press, 
has  supervised  with  the  utmost  efficiency  every  detail  of  the 
Intricate  process  of  seeing  a  book  of  this  sort  through  the 
hands  of  the  engraver  and  the  printer.  Mrs.  Jessie  Palmer 
Weber,  librarian  of  the  Illinois  State  Historical  Library,  has 
given  precious  assistance  In  untangling  the  business  snarls  that 
Inevitably  occur  in  the  publication  of  a  work  of  this  sort.  The 
Illinois  Historical  Survey  has  contributed  the  services  of  its 
assistants  for  many  editorial  tasks. 

Theodore  C.  Pease 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  .    .   .         ^'^^^ 

I.     Organization  and  Training  of  the  33rd  Division 
at  Camp  Logan 

Notes 305 

II.  Training  and  Operations  with  the  British  Army       34 

Notes ^^^ 

III.  Occupation  of  the  Sector  at  Verdun  and  Begin- 

ning of  the  Meusc-Argonne  Battle ^6 

Notes ^^^ 

IV.  Defense  of  the  Meuse  Sector S'?" 

Notes ^^^ 

V.     Operations  with  the  17th  French  Army  Corps 
Astride  the  Meuse,  October  8  to  October  15, 

1918   104 

Notes ^45 

VI.      Operations  with  the   17th  French  Army  Corps 

Astride  the  Meuse,  October  15  until  Relief. .      147 
Notes 370 

VII.     In  the  Troyon-sur-Meuse  Sector  with  the  Sec- 
ond American   Army   and   the    2nd    French 

Colonial  Army  Corps 173 

Notes 3^4 

VIII.     In  the  Troyon-sur-Meuse  Sector  with  the  Second 
American  Army  and  the  17th  French  Army 

Corps    190 

Notes 395 

IX.     Operations  of  the  58th  Artillery  Brigade 235 

Notes "^22 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

X.     Operations  of  the  33rd  Division  from  the  Arm- 
istice until  its  Departure  from  Luxembourg..  257 
Notes 423 

XL     Conclusion 296 

Notes 450 

Index 453 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Honorable  Len  Small,  Governor  of  Illinois,  1921-....  vii 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Frederic  L.  Huidekoper xv 

Honorable   Frank   O.   Lowden,    Governor   of   Illinois, 

1917-1921    xxi 

Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr xxiii 

Lieutenant  Colonel  William  H.  Simpson 12 

Brigadier  General  Paul  A.  Wolf 22 

Consenvoye   causeway    56 

Forges  Creek  bottom 56 

Beginning  of  passage  over  Forges  Creek 62 

Beginning  of  passage  over  Forges  Creek 62 

Forges-Bethincourt  road,  west  from  Forges 68 

Artillery  bridge.  Forges  Creek 68 

Corduroy  road,  south  end  of  Forges  Creek  swamp.  ...  74 

Corduroy  road,  north  end  of  Forges  Creek  swamp.  ...  74 

Brigadier  General  Edward  L.  King 80 

Demolished  bridge,  old  Forges-Consenvoye  road 86 

Forges   Creek  bottom 86 

Completed  section  of  Forges-Bethincourt  road 92 

Cumieres— Raffecourt  road,  Cumont  ravine 92 

Bridge,  Forges  Creek 98 

Road  over  Forges  Creek  bridge 98 

Brabant  infantry  passerelle 106 

Consenvoye  infantry  passerelle 112 

Consenvoye  causeway,  heavy  artillery  bridge 122 

Repaired  bridge  over  Meuse  Canal,  Consenvoye 132 

Pile  bent  section  across  the  River  Meuse 140 

Revetment  and  camouflage,  Forges  road 154 

Cumieres— Forges  road  near  Forges  Creek  bridge 154 

Revetment,   Forges-Consenvoye   road 170 

Erection  of  revetment  wall  over  shell  hole,  Forges  road  170 

Tank  mines  and  road  obstructions,  Troyon  sector 182 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Bridge,  St.  Hllaire,  Troyon  sector 192 

Bridge  between  St.  Hilaire  and  Butgneville 192 

Bridge  on  Harville— ManheuUes  road,  Forges  sector. . .  200 

Bridge  at  Marcheville,  Troyon  sector 200 

Bridge  at  Fismes-en-Woevre 208 

Bridge  on  Harville-ManheuUes  road,  Troyon  sector. .  208 

Wire  entanglement  near  Flarville  Wood 218 

View    from    German    tree    observation    post,    covering 

Butgneville    230 

Brigadier  General  Henry  D.  Todd,  Jr 236 

Cumieres-Raffecourt  road,  Cumont  ravine 248 

Cumieres— Raffecourt  road   248 

Cumieres— Raffecourt  road,  construction  over  trench...  254 
Cumieres-Raffecourt    road,    construction    near    trench 

intersection    254 

Beginning  of  new  Cumieres— Raffecourt  road 266 

Artillery  bridge,  Cumieres— Raffecourt  road 266 

Cumieres— Forges  road 280 

Forges   280 

Construction  of  Forges-Consenvoye  road 290 

Construction  of  Forges-Consenvoye  road 290 


INTRODUCTION 

The  portion  of  this  history  which  chronicles  the  opera- 
tions of  the  33rd  Division  from  its  arriv^al  in  France  until  the 
Armistice  with  Germany  was  begun  on  Monday,  November 
18th,  1918,  exactly  one  week  after  the  cessation  of  hostilities, 
and  was  completed  on  February  28th,  1919.  Appendices 
numbers  two  to  thirty-five,  both  inclusive,  as  well  as  all  the 
maps  originally  contained  in  Volume  IV,  were  likewise  finished 
during  the  same  period.  This  work  was  done  at  such  times  as 
the  author  could  spare  from  his  duties  as  the  Division  Adju- 
tant. As  soon  as  the  fighting  ceased,  the  paper-work  exacted 
by  orders  from  higher  authority  multiplied  to  a  remarkable 
degree;  on  December  2nd,  1918,  the  Assistant  Division  Adju- 
tant, Major  Henry  S.  Hooker — who  had  been  injured  by  the 
fall  of  his  horse — was  evacuated  to  a  hospital  at  Commercy 
and  was  subsequently  sent  back  to  the  United  States,  thus 
depriving  the  author  of  the  services  of  a  most  valuable 
assistant;  from  December  8th  to  20th,  1918,  the  33rd  Division 
was  in  constant  movement,  advancing  from  the  Troyon-sur- 
Meuse  sector  through  Lorraine  into  Rhenish  Germany,  whence 
it  was  withdrawn  into  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Luxembourg;  and 
during  part  of  February,  1919,  the  author  was  absent  on 
temporary  duty  in  Paris  with,  the  Presidential  Party  of  the 
American  Peace  Commission.  In  spite  of  these  handicaps — 
far  from  conducive  to  such  concentrated  and  uninterrupted 
thought  as  is  usually  deemed  a  sine  qua  non  for  accurate  his- 
torical writing — that  part  of  this  history  was  finished  in 
slightly  more  than  three  months.  The  chapters  dealing  with 
the  organization  of  the  33rd  Division,  its  period  of  training 
at  Camp  Logan,  Houston,  Texas,  its  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  Yaphank,  Long  Island,  and  its  voyage  overseas,  and 
with  the  events  from  the  Armistice  until  its  demobilization  at 
Camp  Grant,  Rockford,  Illinois,  in  June,  1919,  as  well  as  the 
Conclusion  and  the  appendices  pertaining  to  them,  were  writ- 
ten during  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1919. 


INTRODUCTION 

That  true  historical  perspective  can  only  be  attained 
after  a  certain  lapse  of  time  subsequent  to  the  events  is  gen- 
erally conceded.  This  desideratum  is  peculiarly  applicable  to 
political  history  but,  on  the  other  hand,  the  method  here 
employed  possesses  advantages  not  otherwise  obtainable,  in 
military  history  especially.  The  events  have  produced  an 
impression  still  indelible,  the  principal  actors  can  be  consulted 
in  person,  and  most  of  the  documents  are  readily  accessible. 
Important  light — and  chiefly  those  side-lights  which  are 
almost  invariably  lacking  in  the  bald  accounts  contained  in  the 
average  official  documents — can  thus  be  thrown  upon  the 
events  to  be  chronicled  in  a  manner  quite  impossible  when  the 
participants  are  no  longer  living  or  when  their  memories  have 
become  hazy  by  lapse  of  time  or  confused  by  conflicting 
accounts.  Inaccuracies  and  discrepancies  disclosed  by  the 
exhaustive  sifting  of  evidence  can  be  promptly  corrected  by 
submitting  them  to,  and  by  questioning,  the  individuals  who, 
having  taken  an  active  part,  are  thoroughly  conversant 
with  the  actual  facts.  Furthermore,  the  personal  equation — 
which  plays  such  an  important  role  in  human  events  and  with- 
out which  no  true  history  can  be  written — can  be  ascertained, 
to  a  large  measure,  from  the  participants  themselves.  These 
factors,  judiciously  weighed  and  discriminately  interwoven 
with  the  events  described,  create  an  atmosphere  and  afford  an 
understanding  otherwise  impossible  to  convey. 

At  the  time  that  this  history  was  begun,  the  records  of 
the  33rd  Division  were,  from  the  standpoint  of  the  military 
historian,  in  a  distinctly  unsatisfactory  condition.  A  succes- 
sion of  orders  during  the  eight  months  preceding  had  reduced 
the  impedimenta  of  the  various  headquarters  to  a  minimum. 
Before  leaving  Camp  Logan,  all  records  were  thoroughly 
culled  out  and  only  those  considered  absolutely  necessary  for 
efficient  functioning  by  the  units  were  taken  overseas.  Other 
reductions  were  made  on  the  British  front,  and  every  paper  not 
deemed  indispensable  was  sent  to  the  rear.  There  v/as,  conse- 
quently, a  notable  dearth  of  documents  relating  to  the  period 
from  the  organization  of  the  33rd  Division  in  August,  Sep- 


INTRODUCTION 

tember  and  October,  1917,  until  its  arrival  in  the  American 
sector  during  the  last  week  of  August,  1918.  These  records, 
the  author  has  been  officially  informed,  have  been  sent  to  the 
War  Department,  together  with  many  thousands  of  other 
military  papers,  but  as  yet  they  have  not  been  classified  and, 
under  existing  orders,  are  not  open  to  public  inspection.  Of 
the  subsequent  period  terminating  with  the  Armistice,  the 
material  was  much  more  abundant,  and  such  documents  as 
were  missing  were  fortunately  obtained  by  the  author  by  dint 
of  considerable  correspondence  with  other  headquarters  and 
officers.  Personal  application  to  the  late  Major  Robert  M. 
Johnston,  Chief  of  the  Historical  Section  at  the  American 
General  Headquarters  at  Chaumont  revealed  a  total  absence, 
at  that  time,  of  records  in  respect  to  the  operations  of  the  33rd 
Division  on  the  British  front.  Nevertheless,  through  the 
instrumentality  of  Brigadier  General  C.  M.  Wagstaff,  the 
British  Liaison  Officer  at  G.  H.  Q.,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Stephen  C.  Clark,  the  Adjutant  of  the  Second  (American) 
Corps,  and  the  Australian  War  Records  Office  in  London,  the 
author  was  enabled  to  obtain  all  the  information  needed  for  a 
complete  account  of  those  operations.  He  is,  consequently, 
deeply  grateful  to  them  for  their  kindness. 

The  records  of  the  33rd  Division  covering  the  period 
from  the  Armistice  until  its  demobilization  were  as  complete 
as  could  be  desired,  whereas  those  pertaining  to  the  period 
spent  at  Camp  Logan  and  in  the  movement  overseas  to 
France  were  conspicuous  for  their  absence,  for  the  reasons 
already  enumerated.  Luckily,  throughout  the  war  the  author 
kept  an  exceptionally  detailed  diary  which,  together  with  cer- 
tain other  memoranda  retained  by  him,  constitute  the  principal 
source  of  information  for  this  period.  This  diary  also  proved 
invaluable  in  supplementing,  by  data  not  recorded  elsewhere, 
the  documents  bearing  upon  other  periods  of  this  narrative. 

No  effort  has  been  spared  to  make  this  history  as 
accurate  and  comprehensive  as  possible.  Every  report  was 
subjected  to  the  utmost  scrutiny,  and  any  inaccuracy  or  dis- 
crepancy was  immediately  corrected  by  returning  the  report  to 


INTRODUCTION 

the  unit  commander  for  verification  or  for  such  alteration  as 
v/as  requisite  to  conform  to  the  estabhshed  facts.  NI any  hours 
were  spent  by  the  author  in  personal  conference  with  Brigade, 
Regimental,  Battalion  and  Company  commanders  and  with 
the  Operations  Officers  of  the  various  organizations.  At  these 
conferences  all  orders,  reports,  maps  and  operations  v/ere 
examined  with  greatest  thoroughness,  and  an  immense  amount 
of  valuable  information,  which  supplemented  and  explained 
the  data  not  embodied  in  formal  documents,  was  thereby 
obtained.  In  a  number  of  cases,  the  narrative  itself  was  sub- 
mitted to  the  commanders  of  the  various  units  concerned  for 
correction  and  suggestion.  The  author  has  personally 
verified  every  single  reference  cited  in  this  work,  translated 
every  French  order  and  communication  quoted,  and  wrote  the 
original  manuscript  on  a  typewriter  himself. 

To  Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr.,  the  Division  Com- 
mander, with  whom  every  phase  of  this  history  was  thoroughly 
discussed  and  who  carefully  read  every  page  of  the  text  and 
footnotes,  the  author  acknowledges  a  debt  of  deepest  grati- 
tude for  his  invaluable  corrections  and  suggestions.  To  the 
following  officers  and  men  of  the  33rd  Division  the  author 
tenders  his  heartiest  thanks  and  appreciation  for  the  material 
which  they  supplied  and  for  the  assistance  which  they  rendered 
to  him  in  the  preparation  of  this  work:  Brigadier  General 
Henry  D.  Todd,  Jr.,  commanding  the  58th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade;  Brigadier  General  Paul  A.  Wolf,  commanding  the 
66th  Infantry  Brigade;  Brigadier  General  Edward  L.  King, 
commanding  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade;  Lieutenant  Colonel 
George  Roth  and  Majors  Harold  P.  Ersklne  and  Roane 
Waring,  the  adjutants  of  those  brigades;  Colonel  Edgar  A. 
Myer  of  the  1 29th  Infantry,  Colonel  John  V.  Clinnin  of  the 
130th  Infantry,  Colonel  Joseph  B.  Sanborn  of  the  131st 
Infantry  and  Colonel  Abel  Davis  of  the  132nd  Infantry,  as 
well  as  their  Operations  Officers  and  the  commanders  of  the 
various  Infantry  battalions  with  whom  he  had  frequent  con- 
sultations; Colonel  Henry  A.  Allen  of  the  108th  Engineers, 
Captain  Clyde  L.  Thompson,  his  Adjutant,  the  non-commis- 


INTRODUCTION 

sioned  officers  of  the  Topographical  Section  of  tiiat  re.^iment 
who  reproduced  many  of  the  maps  for  Volume  IV,  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  James  Lindsey-Oliver  who  personally 
obtained  several  very  important  reports  on  the  battle  of 
Hamel  from  the  Australian  Records  Office  in  London. 

The  chapter  devoted  to  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade 
was  prepared  by  Lieutenant  Leon  Dessez,  the  Operations 
Officer  of  that  Brigade,  to  whom  the  author  expresses  deep 
obligation  for  his  important  contribution. 

To  Major  Charles  L.  Sampson,  formerly  G-3  of  the  33rd 
Division,  the  author's  thanks  are  due  for  the  copy  of  Field 
Order  No.  18,  issued  by  the  Third  Army  Corps  on  September 
21st,  1918,  to  govern  its  attack  at  the  opening  of  the  Meuse- 
Argonne  battle. 

For  material  furnished  and  assistance  rendered  in 
response  to  every  appeal,  the  author  is  especially  indebted  to 
the  following  members  of  the  33rd  Division  Staff:  Lieutenant 
Colonel  William  H.  Simpson,  Chief  of  Staff,  and  the  officers, 
men  and  Army  Field  Clerks  in  his  office,  Mr.  H.  E.  Larson  in 
particular;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Charles  C.  Allen,  G— 2,  and  the 
officers  and  men  under  him,  who  supplied  most  of  the  military 
information  and  copied  the  major  portion  of  the  larger  maps; 
Colonel  Levy  M.  Hathaway,  the  Division  Surgeon,  and  his 
successor.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Harry  D.  Orr;  and  Major  M. 
B.  Southwick,  G-3  and  former  commander  of  the  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  and  the  officers  and  men  in  his 
office. 

To  all  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Division  Adjutant's 
office  who,  after  winning  the  admiration  and  affection  of  the 
author  by  their  efficiency,  splendid  loyalty  and  faithful  service 
during  the  periods  of  organization,  training,  movement  over- 
seas and  active  operations,  rendered  invaluable  assistance  to 
him  in  the  collection,  classification  and  copying  of  much  of  the 
information  embodied  in  this  history,  he  acknowledges  a  debt 
of  gratitude  beyond  his  power  to  express,  particularly  to 
Major  Henry  S.  Hooker,  the  Assistant  Division  Adjutant; 
Captain — then  First  Lieutenant — Frank  A.   Biederman   and 


INTRODUCTION 

Lieutenants  Louis  B.  Tovstein  and  Milo  G.  Miller  of  the 
Statistical  Office;  Mr.  William  Lewis  Judy,  the  Chief  Clerk; 
Regimental  Sergeant-major  A.  H.  Relyea;  Battalion  Sergeant- 
major  Thomas  R.  Joyce,  who  copied  and  verified  the  General 
and  Field  Orders  in  Appendix  three;  Battalion  Sergeant- 
major  Frank  Grabin;  and  Lieutenant — then  Regimental 
Sergeant-major —  Brooke  Fellers,  whose  efficiency  in  copying 
this  complicated  manuscript  and  its  voluminous  appendices 
and  whose  assistance  in  the  compilation  of  much  of  the 
material  were  of  incalculable  aid  to  the  author. 

F.  L.  H. 

1614  Eighteenth  Street,  N.  W., 

Washington 

November  11th,  1919 


HONORABLE    FRANK   O.    LOWDEN 


THE  33rd  Division,  or  the  "Prairie"  Division  as  we  like 
best  to  call  it,  was  composed  exclusively  of  National  Guard 
organizations  from  the  State  of  Illinois.  New  York  and  Penn- 
sylvania were  the  only  other  states  to  have  divisions  of  their 
own;  therefore,  Illinois  had  a  peculiar  pride  in  this  division. 
From  the  moment  the  different  units  forming  it  were  mustered 
into  the  Army,  our  people  followed  all  their  movements  with 
interest  and  pride.  The  division  saw  the  hardest  kind  of 
service  and  distinguished  itself  down  to  the  moment  the 
Armistice  was  signed.  It  won  the  praise,  not  only  of  the 
highest  officers  in  our  own  army  but  equally  the  praise  of  the 
highest  officers  in  the  French  and  British  armies.  For  it  was 
the  only  division  in  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  to 
fight  with  the  French  and  the  British  as  well  as  with  fellow 
Americans.  It  came  out  of  the  war  with  the  reputation  of 
being  one  of  the  best  combat  divisions  in  the  Allied  Army. 

Illinois  is  proud  of  the  heroes  of  this  division,  not  alone 
for  their  achievements  as  soldiers  but  also  for  their  conduct  as 
men.  No  scandal  was  ever  connected  with  the  division. 
Wherever  it  was  stationed,  it  won  the  friendship  of  the  civilian 
population  by  the  fine  bearing  of  its  men.  For  patriotic  devo- 
tion in  service,  for  honor  in  camp  and  field,  for  valor  in  battle, 
for  courage  in  the  face  of  death,  the  division  won  glory  for 
Illinois.  Illinois,  therefore,  justly  regards  the  record  of  the 
division  as  one  of  her  most  priceless  possessions.  It  will  ever 
form  a  notable  chapter  in  her  history. 

Frank  O.  Lowden. 
November  20,  1919 


MAJOR  GENERAL  GEORGE  BELL,  JR. 


THE  33rd  Division  accomplished  every  task  assigned  to  it. 
Not  a  single  failure  is  recorded  against  it. 
Not  a  scandal  occurred  to  mar  the  glory  of  its  achieve- 
ments. 

Duty  to  God,  to  country  and  to  home,  well  done,  is  the 
highest  standard  humanly  attainable.  The  officers  and  men  of 
the  33rd  Division  did  their  duty  superbly.  Their  deeds  and 
the  example  which  they  set  are  imperishable.  Illinois  may  well 
be  proud  of  her  sons,  both  the  living  and  the  dead. 

Geo.  Bell,  Jr., 
Major-General,  U.  S.  A., 
Commander,  33rd  Division 

Camp  Grant,  Illinois 

November  19,  1919 


I.    ORGANIZATION  AND  TRAINING  OF  THE  33RD 
DIVISION  AT  CAMP  LOGAN 

On  August  23,  1917,  the  War  Department  issued  Gen- 
eral Order  No.  114,  directing  thirty-one  major  generals, 
accompanied  by  their  authorized  aides-de-camp,  to  proceed  to 
certain  stations  and  to  assume  command  of  the  troops  there. 
By  virtue  of  these  orders,  Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr. 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  Camp  Logan  at  Houston, 
Texas,  and  on  the  following  day  special  orders  were  issued 
designating  the  officers  who  were  to  command  the  brigades 
and  constitute  the  Division  Staff  of  the  33rd  Division,^  all  of 
whom  were  instructed  to  reach  Camp  Logan  not  later  than 
August  25,  1917,  and  to  report  to  the  Division  Commander 
for  duty.  Telegraphic  orders  had  been  sent  a  few  days  pre- 
viously to  these  officers,  nearly  all  of  whom  arrived  at 
Houston  on  Saturday,  August  25,  to  find  that  place  under 
martial  law  in  consequence  of  the  lamentable  shooting  affray 
on  the  evening  of  August  23. 

Situated  on  Washington  Street,  about  four  miles  from 
the  centre  of  Houston,  Camp  Logan  was  at  that  time  in  a 
decidedly  unfinished  state.  It  was  occupied  by  certain  units — 
numbering  36  officers  and  1,291  men,  who  had  arrived  during 
the  preceding  eight  days — -forming  the  vanguard  of  the 
National  Guard  of  Illinois,  which  was  to  constitute  the 
nucleus  of  the  33rd  Division  by  virtue  of  General  Orders  Nos. 
95  and  101,  issued  by  the  War  Department  on  July  19  and 
August  3,  1917,  respectively.  The  preparations  necessary  to 
receive,  equip,  and  train  the  large  number  of  Illinois  troops 
whose  arrival  was  expected  in  the  near  future  were  immedi- 

1 
(1) 


2  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

ately  made,  so  far  as  was  possible  under  the  circumstances,  by 
General  Bell,  who  established  his  headquarters  in  a  mess 
building  near  the  Washington  Street  entrance  on  Monday, 
August  27.  On  the  following  morning  General  Order  No.  1 
was  issued,  designating  the  aides-de-camp  of  the  Division 
Commander  and  the  officers  who  were  to  be- the  chiefs  of  the 
various  departments  of  the  Division  Staff. ^  The  extremely 
amicable  relations  which  existed  between  the  33rd  Division 
and  the  civilians  of  Houston  for  more  than  eight  months  were 
inaugurated  at  a  banquet  given  at  the  Rice  Hotel  on  August 
30  by  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  Houston.^ 

September  10  witnessed  the  arrival  of  the  first  increment 
of  the  Illinois  National  Guard,  and  other  units  followed  in 
rapid  succession,  although  it  was  not  until  October  26  that  the 
last  of  the  state  troops  reached  Camp  Logan. ^  Every  con- 
ceivable effort  was  made  by  General  Bell  to  have  all  the  Illi- 
nois troops  sent  immediately  to  Houston  and  to  obtain  the 
materiel,  equipment,  and  supplies  needed  in  order  to  reorgan- 
ize the  regiments  as  prescribed  by  the  Tables  of  Organization^ 
and  to  begin  with  the  minimum  delay  their  training,  even  if 
only  to  the  extent  that  the  first  units  of  "Kitchener's  Army"  in 
England  were  trained.  His  urgings  fell  far  short  of  securing 
the  results  for  which  he  had  striven  and,  on  September  17, 
orders  were  received  from  the  War  Department  directing 
him,  accompanied  by  his  Chief  of  Staff,  his  Aide-de-Camp,  and 
two  enlisted  men,  to  reach  Hoboken  on  September  23,  pre- 
pared for  prolonged  field  service.  On  September  19  he  left 
Camp  Logan,  joined  a  party  of  American  division  command- 
ers, spent  his  entire  time  in  Europe  in  investigating  personally 
and  gathering  all  possible  information  as  to  the  conditions  and 
methods  of  warfare  em.ployed  by  the  Allies  on  their  western 
front,  and  did  not  return  to  Houston  until  December  7. 

During  General  Bell's  absence  the  command  of  the  33rd 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  3 

Division  devolved  upon  Brigadier  General  Henry  D.  Todd, 
Jr.  of  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  as  the  ranking  officer 
present.  To  him  was  intrusted  the  difficult  task,  of  organizing 
the  division.  The  slowness  with  which  the  troops  were  sent 
from  Illinois"  postponed  the  issuing  of  the  orders  prescribing 
this  reorganization  until  October  9"^  and,  as  a  matter  of  fact, 
it  could  not  be  put  into  actual  operation  until  October  16.  In 
spite  of  many  difficulties,  some  of  which  arose  from  conditions 
peculiar  to  National  Guard  units  as  they  were  then  constituted, 
at  the  end  of  October,  1917,^  the  organization  of  the  33rd 
Division  was,  in  effect,  complete.  The  splitting  up  of  certain 
regiments, ^'^  the  reorganization  of  others,  and  the  temporary 
confusion  inseparable  from  such  readjustment  had,  necessa- 
rily, not  conduced  to  systematic  or  uninterrupted  training  of 
the  troops.  Moreover,  there  existed  at  that  juncture  a  con- 
spicuous dearth  of  the  materiel  and  supplies  which  are 
indispensable  to  a  properly  equipped  military  force.  Further- 
more, during  the  last  week  of  October  several  contingents  of 
drafted  men,  numbering  approximately  five  hundred  each, 
were  received  from  the  86th  Division  at  Camp  Grant,  Rock- 
ford,  Illinois.^ ^  This  influx  of  recruits,  many  of  whom  lacked 
physical  fitness  for  military  service  and  some  of  whom  were 
unable  to  speak  English,^-  obviously  augmented  the  unsettled 
conditions  then  existing  throughout  the  command.  In  conse- 
quence, the  telegram  in  cipher  which  came  from  The  Adjutant 
General  of  the  Army  on  October  31,  directing  that  the  33rd 
Division  be  made  ready  to  sail  for  France  about  November 
30,^^  was  like  a  bolt  from  the  blue.  The  unpreparedness  of 
the  troops  for  over-sea  service  and  the  actual  conditions  at 
Camp  Logan  at  that  time  are  described  in  a  memorandum 
formulated  by  the  Division  Adjutant  on  November  1,  1917, 
for  his  own  future  reference,  from  which  the  following 
excerpts  are  taken : 


4  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

The  33rd  Division,  temporarily  under  the  command  of 
Brigadier  General  Henry  D.  Todd,  Jr.,  in  the  absence  of 
Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr.,  in  France,  is  composed  in 
the  main  of  former  Illinois  National  Guard  and  numbers 
today  914  officers  and  23,295  enlisted  men,  a  total  of  24,209, 
in  which  are  included  substantially  2,000  drafted  men  received 
the  past  week  from  the  86th  Division  at  Camp  Grant,  Rock- 
ford,  Illinois;  60  officers  and  959  enlisted  men  belonging  to 
the  Camp  troops,  and  57  officers  and  2,109  enlisted  men  of  the 
8th  Illinois  Infantry  (colored).  Neither  the  Camp  troops  nor 
the  8th  Illinois  will  be  sent  abroad,  according  to  present  in- 
formation.^^ The  actual  strength  of  the  33rd  Division  proper 
is  therefore  797  officers  and  19,306  enlisted  men — including 
2,000  drafted  men.  Camp  Grant  at  Rockford,  Illinois,  and 
Camp  Dodge  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  are  still  to  furnish  this 
division  with  4,400  more  drafted  men,  but,  even  so,  there  will 
still  be  a  shortage  of  men  since  the  Tables  of  Organization 
prescribe  that  a  division  shall  consist  of  27,152  enlisted  men. 

General  Bell  and  most  of  the  officers  of  the  Divisional 
Staff  reached  Houston  on  August  25,  1917,  and  since  that 
time  have  made  unremitting  efforts  to  get  all  the  Illinois 
National  Guard,  the  necessary  materiel  and  supplies  sent  to 
this  camp.  It  was  not  until  the  16th  of  October  that  all  the 
Illinois  troops  reached  here  and  that  the  new  organization, 
based  upon  European  organization,  could  be  properly  effected, 
insomuch  as  the  new  organization  required  that  the  two 
Infantry  Brigades — viz:  the  65th  Brigade  (Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Hill)  and  the  66th  Brigade  (Brigadier  General 
Foster) — ^^should  consist  of  two  infantry  regiments  of  3,652 
enlisted  men  each  instead  of  three  regiments  of  lesser 
strength.  The  former  5th  and  7th  Illinois  Infantry  ceased 
to  exist  as  such  and,  by  virtue  of  the  new  organization,  be- 
came the  Divisional  and  Brigade  Machine  Gun  Battalions, 
and  the  Divisional  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police, 
and  were  included  in  the  composition  of  the  Division  Trains. 

Camp  Logan  itself  is  not  finished.  The  plans  of  many 
buildings  have  been  repeatedly  changed,  thus  resulting  in 
much  unnecessary  confusion  and  expenditures  for  which  there 
can  be  no  possible  justification.  Recently  it  has  been  decided 
to  make  many  of  them  semi-permanent  by  the  addition  of 
windows   and   doors,    and   this   work   has   not  yet  been  com- 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  5 

pleted.  It  was  only  today  that  the  Division  Headquarters 
moved  into  an  inclosed  building,  with  windows  and  a  wooden 
floor,  having  thus  far  occupied  buildings  with  dirt  floors  and 
open  sides  exposed  to  every  particle  of  dust  produced  by  six 
weeks  of  continuous  drought.  Many  of  the  storehouses  and 
warehouses  are  of  faulty  construction,  and  the  Camp  Engi- 
neer informed  me  yesterday  that  some  of  the  roofs  are  sag- 
ging to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  only  a  question  of  time 
before  they  would  collapse  completely.  The  heating  facilities 
are  meagre  to  a  degree.  The  Base  Hospital  is  without  run- 
ning water,  except  for  two  or  three  faucets  put  in  by  the  Con- 
structing Quartermaster  contrary  to  authorization  because  he 
realized  the  folly  of  having  no  running  water  whatsoever.  It 
has  been  suggested  from  Washington  that  the  total  absence 
of  heating  facilities  be  overcome  by  stoves  in  the  operating 
rooms  and  by  carrying  heating  pipes  up  the  outside  of  the 
Base  Hospital.  Comment  upon  the  danger  of  stoves  in 
operating  rooms  where  ether  is  used,  or  the  inadequacy  of 
heating  pipes  on  the  outside  of  a  hospital  is  superfluous.  Since 
the  temperature  of  late  has  been  quite  low  at  night — some- 
times below  freezing — the  sick  in  the  Base  Hospital  have 
had  increased  suffering  on  account  of  the  cold.^^ 

The  re-organization  of  the  Division  necessarily  affected 
the  training  of  the  troops,  but  the  principal  factor  which  mili- 
tated against  the  prompt  beginning  of  this  training  was  the 
slowness  with  which  the  Illinois  troops  were  sent  to  this  camp. 
At  the  present  time,  intensive  training  of  the  Infantry  regi- 
ments has  not  been  of  more  than  four  weeks  duration  as  a 
whole.  The  machine-gun  training  was  not  begun  until 
October  10th.  In  the  case  of  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade 
the  situation  was  extraordinary.  The  three  regiments  com- 
posing that  Brigade  are  a  fair  sample.  The  122nd  Field  Artil- 
lery was  formerly  the  First  Illinois  Cavalry  and  only  within  a 
few  months  converted  into  the  2nd  Illinois  Field  Artillery. 
The  123rd  Field  Artillery  was  the  6th  Illinois  Infantry  until 
after  its  arrival  at  Camp  Logan.  The  124th  Field  Artillery 
was  the  brand-new  3rd  Illinois  Field  Artillery  and  was  only 
organized  in  August,  1917.  The  training  of  these  Field  Artil- 
lery regiments  has  been  confined  to  dummy  guns  donated  to 
one  of  them,  and  not  one  single  organization  has  ever  fired  a 
real  field  piece.    The  122nd  and  124th  only  had  dummy  guns 


6  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

in  Illinois;  the  123rd  was  converted  from  infantry  into  field 
artillery  less  than  six  weeks  ago  at  this  camp,  where  no  field 
guns  of  any  sort  or  description  existed  until  yesterday,  when 
twenty-four  three-inch  guns  arrived.  For  a  long  time  Briga- 
dier General  Todd,  commanding  the  58th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade,  was  the  only  officer,  Regular  or  otherwise,  with 
artillery  experience,  but,  by  dint  of  much  telegraphing,  two 
other  Regular  officers  were  sent  to  assist  him  in  training  this 
brigade  in  preliminary  work.  Artillery  ammunition  is  con- 
spicuous for  its  paucity. ^^ 

Of  machine  guns  there  are  only  twelve  Maxims  and 
twenty  Lewis  guns.  Only  a  very  few  officers  have  taken  the 
course  at  Fort  Sill  and  are  competent  to  instruct  in  this  most 
important  work. 

Although  General  Bell  bent  every  effort,  beginning 
before  the  end  of  August,  to  establish  target  ranges  for  small- 
arms  and  field  artillery,  in  spite  of  all  that  could  be  done, 
these  ranges  are  just  approaching  completion.  Neither  the 
artillery  nor  the  machine  gun  troops  have  fired  so  much  as 
one  single  round  in  target  practice,  and  the  same  is  true  of 
the  infantry  without  exception.  .  .  . 

There  is  a  decided  shortage  of  ordnance  materiel  of 
many  kinds,  including  rifles  and  pistols. ^^  On  several  occa- 
sions I  have  had  to  lend  my  own  Colt  automatic  to  officers  of 
the  Military  Police  for  expeditions  when  riot  sticks  were 
scarcely  sufficient  protection  and  when  it  was  advisable  for  the 
officers  to  be  properly  armed.  .  .  . 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  real  training  of  this  aggregation 
has  just  begun  in  real  earnest.  .  .  .  General  Pershing,  in  a 
recent  communication  to  the  War  Department  which  was 
transmitted  to  all  Division  Commanders,  laid  the  strongest 
possible  emphasis  upon  the  absolute  necessity  of  thorough 
target  practice  in  this  country  before  troops  are  sent  abroad, 
and  he  gave  ample  warning  that  the  conditions  in  France  aris- 
ing from  many  causes,  including  intensive  agriculture,  were 
such  that  target  ranges  were  well-nigh  impossible  to  find.  For 
these  reasons,  he  emphatically  declared  that  American  troops 
should  be  taught  to  shoot  before  they  are  sent  abroad,  doubly 
so  since  they  will  have  little  or  no  opportunity  for  target 
practice  in  France. 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  7 

In  the  light  of  the  facts  enumerated  above,  the  reader  is 
left  to  draw  his  own  conclusions  as  to  whether  the  33rd 
Division  was  ready  at  that  time  to  be  sent  overseas. 

During  the  first  fortnight  of  November,  1917,  contin- 
gents of  drafted  men,  numbering  as  a  rule  approximately  five 
hundred  men  each,  arrived  at  Camp  Logan  at  frequent  inter- 
vals.^^ By  November  14,  the  33rd  Division  had  been 
augmented  by  6,600  recruits,  about  5,600  of  whom  came 
from  the  86th  Division  at  Camp  Grant,  Illinois,  and  about 
1,000  from  the  88th  Division  at  Camp  Dodge,  Iowa.  While 
the  drafted  men  from  the  88th  Division  were  noticeably 
superior  to  those  from  the  86th,  it  was  manifest  that  the  qual- 
ity of  men  sent  by  both  these  divisions  was,  with  certain 
exceptions,  by  no  means  all  that  could  have  been  desired,  and 
that  many  of  them  were,  so  to  speak,  discards. -°  More  than 
five  hundred  proved  to  be  alien  enemies,-^  while  those  who, 
because  of  their  physical  condition  and  for  other  reasons,  were 
unsuited  to  make  soldiers,  and  the  non-English  speaking  and 
illiterates,  were  in  such  considerable  numbers--  that  it  became 
necessary  eventually  to  discharge  2,189  of  these  men  on  "sur- 
geon's certificate  of  disability."-^  The  m.ass  of  correspond- 
ence and  reports  on  the  subject  of  these  undesirables,  as  well 
as  the  necessity  of  complying  with  the  gradations  of  alien-born 
soldiers  required  by  the  War  Department,  necessarily  pre- 
vented the  officers  of  the  division  from  devoting  as  much  time 
to  the  training  of  the  troops  as  they  otherwise  could  have 
done. 

During  the  first  part  of  November,  1917,  four  British 
and  five  French  officers,  accompanied  by  a  number  of  noncom- 
missioned officers,  reported  as  instructors-^  and  under  their 
energetic  and  able  supervision  the  training  of  the  troops  re- 
ceived an  additional  impetus,  apart  from  the  invaluable 
instruction  given  in  the  latest  European  methods. 


8  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Oil  November  6,  Governor  Frank  O.  Lowden  of  Illinois, 
accompanied  by  several  important  officials  of  that  state, 
arrived  at  Camp  Logan,  was  given  an  informal  reception  by 
General  Todd,  and  spent  the  afternoon  visiting  and  inspecting 
some  of  the  organizations.  On  the  following  day.  Governor 
Lowden  and  Governor  W.  P.  Hobby  of  Texas  reviewed  from 
the  balcony  of  the  Rice  Hotel  in  Houston  a  parade  composed 
of  the  majority  of  the  33rd  Division.-^  On  November  8, 
Governor  Lowden  again  spent  part  of  the  day  at  Camp  Logan 
and  that  afternoon  he  and  the  state  officials  accompanying  him 
left  Houston  for  Springfield,  Illinois."^ 

On  November  19,  instructions  were  received  from  The 
Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  to  send  all  general  officers  to 
Washington  for  a  physical  examination  to  determine  their 
fitness  for  over-sea  service.  Although  nothing  further  had 
been  heard  respecting  the  sailing  of  the  division  about  Novem- 
ber 30,  as  announced  on  October  31,  the  first  real  inkling  that 
its  departure  would  be  deferred  was  contained  in  a  telegram 
from  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  received  on  November  20,  to  the 
effect  that  the  ordnance  stores  due  to  the  33rd  Division  would 
be  shipped  to  Camp  Logan  in  accordance  with  the  priority  list 
and  that  the  major  portion  thereof  should  arrive  within  the 
next  thirty  days.  In  the  absence  of  contrary  instructions,  all 
necessary  arrangements  had  been  made  to  have  the  123rd 
Field  Artillery  horse-drawn  but,  as  a  precautionary  measure, 
inquiries  made  by  telegraph  on  November  19  elicited  a  re- 
sponse next  day  from  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  that 
the  "regiment  [of]  Heavy  Artillery  will  be  motorized"  but 
that  "tractors  will  not  be  delivered  for  some  months."  On 
November  28  telegraphic  orders  were  received  from  The 
Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  to  report  approximately  the 
date  when  the  prescribed  course  of  target  practice  would  be 
finished,  and  also  the  exact  number  of  men  needed  to  bring  the 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  9 

division  up  to  full  strength.  On  November  29  the  Command- 
ing General  was  directed  to  report  when  the  engineer  regiment, 
the  engineer  train,  the  mobile  laboratory,  and  two  sanitary 
squads  would  be  fully  equipped  and  in  readiness  for  over-sea 
service.  The  first  news  that  General  Bell  had  returned  from 
France  was  received  on  November  30  in  a  telegram  which  he 
sent  from  Washington  asking  for  exact  information  concern- 
ing the  shortage  of  men,  including  those  needed  to  replace 
eight  hundred  alien  enemies.  That  he  had  been  successful  in 
obtaining  from  the  military  authorities  in  Washington  a 
promise  that  the  33rd  Division  would  receive  its  full  quota 
of  recruits  was  attested  by  the  receipt  on  December  3  of  a 
telegram  from  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  announcing 
that  the  "War  Department  expects  to  send  3,500  drafted 
white  men  to  your  Division  Immediately"  and  asking  if  there 
were  any  reason  why  they  should  not  be  sent.^"^ 

The  period  of  slightly  more  than  eleven  weeks,  during 
which  Brigadier  General  Todd  was  the  acting  division  com- 
mander, was  replete  with  difficulties  and  required  the  exercise 
of  exceptional  judgment  and  patience  in  this  stage  of  transi- 
tion to  an  organization  bearing  some  semblance  to  a  properly 
constituted  military  force.  Allusion  has  already  been  made 
to  the  reorganization  effected  in  October,  1917,-^  which  was 
hampered  further  by  the  influx  of  6,600  drafted  men  received 
between  October  25  and  November  14 — many  of  whom  had 
to  be  discharged  because  they  were  unfit  for  military  service — 
by  the  expected  departure  overseas  scheduled  to  take  place 
"on  or  about  November  30,"^°  by  the  lack  of  materiel,  equip- 
ment, clothing,  and  supplies  of  almost  every  sort,  and  by 
numerous  other  factors  which  need  not  be  enumerated  here. 
Every  effort  was  made  by  General  Todd  and  all  the  officers 
of  the  division  to  expedite  the  passage  through  this  unavoid- 
able period  of  transformation,   to   remedy  the  innumerable 


10  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

defects  then  existing,  to  obtain  the  urgently  needed  materiel, 
clothing,  and  supplies,^*'  to  push  the  training  of  the  troops  to 
the  limit  possible  under  the  circumstances,  and  to  instill  into 
comparatively  green  officers  and  men  that  discipline  and 
efficiency  which  alone  can  create  an  effective  military  force. 
Apart  from  the  obstacles  encountered  within  the  division 
itself,  which  were  to  be  expected  during  such  a  period  of 
transition,  innumerable  handicaps  from  outside  sources  had  to 
be  overcome. ^^  The  wells  in  Texas  constituted  the  principal 
source  of  supply  of  oil  to  the  United  States  Navy,  as  well  as  a 
valuable  adjunct  to  the  Allies,  but  their  operation  was  seri- 
ously imperiled  by  disturbances  created  by  disaffected  persons 
during  October  and  November,  1917.  Through  the  vigorous 
action  and  tact  of  General  Todd,  acting  under  the  supervision 
of  Major  General  Ruckman,  commanding  the  Southern  De- 
partment, any  interruption  in  this  vital  supply  was  effectually 
prevented,  although  it  involved  the  guarding  of  these  oil  wells 
by  a  considerable  force  of  troops,  whose  training  and  target 
practice  suffered  correspondingly.^-  Frequent  changes  in 
organization  were  prescribed  by  the  War  Department. ^^  The 
establishment  of  a  training  school  for  officers  was  ordered  on 
October  10  but,  notwithstanding  several  inquiries  by  tele- 
graph, at  the  end  of  November  the  requisite  information  con- 
cerning it  had  not  been  forthcoming.^^  In  spite  of  every  effort 
to  get  rid  of  the  undesirables,  especially  the  alien  enemies,  the 
absence  of  a  fixed  policy  in  the  Army  War  College  effectually 
prevented  definite  action. ^^  The  foregoing  were  a  few  of  the 
many  factors  which  retarded  the  attainment  of  the  desidera- 
tum to  which  unremitting  labors  were  devoted.  The  weeding 
out  of  officers  not  up  to  the  standard  requisite  for  war  was, 
fortunately,  not  subjected  to  similar  handicaps.  Several 
boards  of  efficiency  were  created  during  November,  1917,  and 
bore  immediate  fruit  in  that  on  December  1  a  number  of  resig- 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  11 

nations,  tendered  as  a  result  of  the  findings  of  these-boards, 
were  accepted  by  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army.^*^ 

On  Friday,  December  7,  1917,  Major  General  Bell,  ac- 
companied by  his  Aide-de-Camp,  Captain  William  H.  Simp- 
son, and  his  Chief  of  Staff,  Lieutenant  Colonel  W.  K.  Naylor, 
returned  to  Camp  Logan.  At  three  o'clock  that  afternoon,  he 
addressed  the  general  and  field  officers  of  the  command, 
emphasizing  the  "vital  necessity  of  unwavering  discipline" 
and  thorough  efficiency  as  the  only  known  method  to  minimize 
losses  and  to  insure  victory  in  war.  He  laid  particular  stress 
upon  target  practice,  upon  cleanliness  and  neatness  in  appear- 
ance as  the  very  foundation  of  discipline,  and  upon  the  obliga- 
tion on  the  part  of  everyone  for  the  most  strenuous  work;  and 
he  announced  that  all  incompetent  officers  would  be  eliminated 
and  that  their  places  would  be  filled  by  deserving  men  from 
the  ranks. ^''^ 

The  events  of  the  few  days  immediately  succeeding  Gen- 
eral Bell's  resumption  of  command  were  scarcely  encouraging 
to  those  who  were  striving  for  military  efficiency.  On  Decem- 
ber 8  came  a  notification  from  The  Adjutant  General  of  the 
Army  that  the  departure  of  the  division  had  been  deferred 
and  that  all  over-sea  equipment  received  by  it  would  at  once 
be  shipped  to  the  32nd  Division.  A  vigorous  protest  made 
on  December  13  proved  futile  and  in  the  meantime,  announce- 
ments were  received  that  the  movement  of  the  33rd  Division 
had  been  postponed  until  February  and  that  the  motor  trans- 
port requested  could  not  be  supplied.  Instructions  from  the 
War  Department  on  December  15  to  deliver  to  the  32nd 
Division  all  woolen  clothing  with  the  exception  of  one  suit  per 
man  led  to  protest  by  General  Bell  on  the  score  of  the  detri- 
mental effect  on  the  health  of  the  command  and  the  handicap 
to  the  training  entailed  by  depriving  the  men  of  the  two  uni- 
forms indispensable  to  the  proper  performances  of  their  duties. 


12  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

The  division  had  now  been  stripped  of  its  ordnance  and  all  its 
over-sea  supplies,  and  its  clothing  had  been  reduced  to  an 
absolute  minimum;  furthermore,  no  solution  had  been  reached 
in  Washington  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  alien  enemies  in  the 
ranks^^  and  no  further  information  had  been  given  concerning 
the  3,500  drafted  men  promised  on  December  3.  Notwith- 
standing this  situation,  orders  were  received  during  the  third 
week  in  December  to  prepare  the  division  for  over-sea  service, 
inasmuch  as  it  stood  well  up  on  the  list  of  those  destined  for 
duty  in  France. 

At  the  close  of  the  year  1917  the  various  units  and  serv- 
ices of  the  33rd  Division  were  beginning  to  resemble  a  real 
military  force  in  the  embryonic  stage.  A  noticeable  improve- 
ment in  the  discipline,  military  courtesy,  and  general  appear- 
ance of  both  officers  and  men  was  manifest.  Officers  not  up 
to  standard  were  being  weeded  out  at  a  rapid  rate  through  the 
medium  of  efficiency  boards;  the  others  showed  by  their  work 
that  the  Division  Commander's  warnings  had  not  fallen  on 
unheeding  ears.  In  every  branch  of  training  the  utmost  efforts 
were  put  forth,  particular  attention  being  paid  to  target  prac- 
tice and  bayonet  work  as  the  fundamentals  of  a  soldier's 
schooling,  and  both  officers  and  men  responded  in  a  gratifying 
manner  to  the  severe  demands  made  upon  them.  For  officers, 
noncommissioned  officers,  and  men,  schools  of  various  kinds 
were  established  and  were  instrumental  in  effecting  a  marked 
improvement.  The  33rd  Division  Infantry  School  of  Arms, 
under  the  able  management  first  of  Captain  John  P.  Lucas 
and  later  of  Captain  William  H.  Simpson,  proved  particularly 
successful  in  this  respect.  The  invaluable  assistance  of  the 
British  and  French  instructors  was  beginning  to  be  apparent, 
and  both  military  missions,  especially  the  French,  kept  in  close 
touch  with  the  work  of  their  officers  by  means  of  frequent  visits 
and  inspections.    As  in  all  other  matters,  the  highest  standard 


LIEUTENANT    COLONEL    WILLLAxM    H.    SIMPSON 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  13 

in  paper-work  and  records  was  exacted  by  the  Division  Com- 
mander, who  was  particularly  insistent  that  the  service  records 
of  the  men  be  kept  absolutely  accurate  and  complete  to  date. 
To  that  end,  each  service  record  in  the  command  was  repeat- 
edly examined,  during  a  period  of  several  months,  by  officers 
specially  selected  for  that  purpose  from  the  offices  of  the 
Division  Adjutant  and  the  Division  Surgeon,  and  every 
inaccuracy  was  corrected  on  the  spot. 

The  year  1918  opened  auspiciously  in  some  ways  and 
quite  the  contrary  in  others.  Effective  progress  was  being 
made  daily  in  the  training  of  the  troops  but  it  was  apparent 
that  there  was  a  long  road  to  travel  before  the  standard  of 
efficiency  demanded  by  General  Bell  would  be  attained. 
Nearly  all  the  field  officers  of  infantry  and  artillery^^  were 
sent  to  the  Brigade  and  Field  Officers'  School  at  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  in  compliance  with  orders,  and  the  regimental  com- 
manders, with  the  exception  of  two,^*^  were  temporarily  re- 
placed by  colonels  of  the  Regular  Army  selected  by  the  War 
Department.  Four  hundred  and  thirty-two  enlisted  men  were 
sent  to  Leon  Springs,  Texas,  on  January  9,  to  attend  the 
training  camp  there  for  candidates  for  commissions.  Briga- 
dier General  David  J.  Foster,  commanding  the  66th  Infantry 
Brigade,  to  the  regret  of  the  command,  failed  to  qualify 
physically  for  over-sea  service  and  on  January  8  was  ordered 
to  be  "honorably  discharged."  The  dearth  of  officers  at  this 
stage  of  the  training  naturally  exercised  a  detrimental  effect, 
which  was  further  augmented  by  the  arrival  on  January  8  of 
414  enlisted  men  from  the  32nd  Division,  classed  as  alien  ene- 
mies.^^  The  precaution  was  taken,  however,  to  put  them  into 
a  provisional  regiment  under  the  command  of  Major  Abel 
Davis,  thus  keeping  them  separate  and  distinct  from  the 
division  units. 

Up  to  that  time  no  definite  policy  as  to  the  disposition  of 


14  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

alien  enemy  soldiers  had  been  announced  by  the  War  Depart- 
ment but  the  receipt,  on  January  9,  of  orders  to  report  the 
number  of  Austrian  subjects  in  the  division  belonging  to 
Teutonic,  Magyar,  Polish,  Rumanian,  Czechish,  Ruthenian, 
and  other  consolidated  races  determined  General  Bell  to  take 
the  bull  by  the  horns.  The  following  characteristic  telegram 
was  accordingly  sent  that  same  day  to  The  Adjutant  General 
of  the  Army : 

Urgently  request  authorization  to  deal  with  so-called 
alien  enemies  in  this  Division  and  Camp  according  to  my  dis- 
cretion in  order  to  salvage  as  many  as  possible  period  Alien 
enemies  in  this  camp  added  to  those  recently  sent  from  an- 
other camp  will  make  some  twelve  hundred  period  Out  of 
them  at  least  four  hundred  can  be  obtained  who  are  eager  and 
desire  to  fight  against  Central  Powers  period  If  thorough 
investigation  proves  sincerity  of  their  desire  it  would  be  mani- 
festly advantageous  to  utilize  them  period  It  is  understood 
that  partial  or  complete  naturalization  will  not  prevent  their 
being  shot  if  captured  by  Germans  period  Authorization 
described  above  is  earnestly  desired  comma  particularly  since 
it  would  help  to  dispose  of  this  hitherto  unsolved  question 
period  It  is  understood  that  instructions  relative  to  alien 
enemies  were  to  be  issued  by  War  Department  December 
thirtieth  period  No  such  instructions  have  yet  reached  this 
Division  Request  information  whether  they  have  been  issued 
and  what  is  their  purport.  Bell. 

That  same  day  the  Division  Commander  inaugurated  a 
novelty  by  prescribing  a  competition  for  the  selection  of  the 
best  company  in  each  of  the  four  infantry  regiments.  When 
chosen,  these  companies  were  to  be  given  special  instruction 
in  infantry  work,  to  be  designated  "Model  Companies,"  and 
to  set  the  standard  of  efficiency  for  the  others.'*- 

January  10,  11^^  and  12  were  marked  by  the  worst  storm 
in  that  part  of  Texas  since  February  14,  1895 — a  heavy  fall 
of  snow  and  a  minimum  temperature  of  eleven  degrees  above 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  15 

zero,  the  lowest  at  Houston  during  January  for  thirty-two 
years.  The  troops,  being  all  under  canvas,  suffered  somewhat 
and  training  had  to  be  partly  suspended  on  January  11.  A 
succession  of  instructions  from  the  War  Department  extend- 
ing over  several  weeks  had  led  to  the  separation  from  the 
division  of  so  many  officers  that  the  progress  of  the  training 
was  noticeably  impaired  thereby,^^  and  on  January  15,^^  Gen- 
eral Bell  telegraphed  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  that 
he  had  received  orders  to  hold  460  enlisted  men  and  140 
officers,  fully  equipped,  in  readiness  to  precede  the  division 
abroad  but  that,  even  by  stripping  every  organization,  the  full 
quota  of  these  men  could  not  be  supplied. 

By  reason  of  certain  wise  and  effective  measures,  the 
remonstrances  raised  in  many  quarters  by  so-called  "conscien- 
tious objectors"  were  virtually  unheard  at  Camp  Logan,  and 
on  January  17  General  Bell  answered  The  Adjutant  General 
of  the  Army's  inquiry  respecting  these  by  the  crisp  statement 
that  "there  are  none  and  consequently  none  who  refuse  to 
work  or  serve." 

Stability  in  the  matter  of  organization  proved  somewhat 
difficult  to  attain  because  of  the  changes  directed  by  higher 
authority.  Fair  examples  of  this  were  the  consolidation  of  the 
Personnel  Office  and  War  Risk  Insurance  with  the  Adjutant's 
Office  ordered  on  January  1 1,  and  the  abolition,  prescribed  on 
January  19,  of  all  "Statistical  Sections  in  Divisions,  regiments 
and  elsewhere  in  the  United  States,"  which  had  been  in  active 
operation  since  September,  1917.^^ 

The  days  from  January  15  to  19,  inclusive,  were  notable 
for  the  visit  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  R.  V.  K.  Applin  of  the 
Royal  Army,  whose  able  handling  of  the  British  machine  guns 
at  the  battle  of  Messines  had  brought  him  great  renown.  On 
January  15  and  16  he  lectured  to  all  the  officers  of  the  division 
on  the  subject  of  "Machine-Gun  Tactics,"  and  so  extraordi- 


16  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

narily  interesting  and  valuable  was  the  information  given  that 
he  was  induced  by  General  Bell  to  prolong  his  stay  and  to 
deliver  an  address  on  the  subject  of  "Discipline  and  Training" 
to  all  the  officers  and  noncommissioned  officers  of  the  com- 
mand on  January  19.  Discipline  he  defined  as  "the  instant 
and  wiUing  obedience  to  all  orders,"  and  he  laid  the  utmost 
emphasis  upon  the  necessity  of  absolute  discipline  on  the  part 
of  every  soldier  and  the  "duty  of  efficiency"  obligatory  upon 
every  officer.  His  remarks  produced  so  profound  an  impres- 
sion that  they  were  subsequently  published  in  a  small  pam- 
phlet which  was  distributed  to  every  officer  and  man  in  the 
division. 

On  December  3,  1917,  The  Adjutant  General  of  the 
Army  had  given  notification  that  3,500  drafted  white  men 
were  to  be  sent  "immediately"  to  the  33rd  Division,  but  dur- 
ing the  ensuing  six  weeks  nothing  further  was  heard  about 
them.  This  long  delay  excited  the  interest  of  the  state  officials 
of  Illinois,  and  on  January  21  Brigadier  General  Frank  S. 
Dickson,  the  adjutant  general  of  Illinois,  telegraphed  to  in- 
quire the  number  of  men  needed  to  fill  the  division  to  maxi- 
mum strength.  In  accordance  with  his  request  the  following 
answer  was  sent  him  that  same  day  by  Major  H.  C.  Castor, 
the  assistant  division  adjutant : 

Retel  this  date.  There  are  today  nine  naught  two 
officers  and  twenty-three  thousand  two  hundred  nineteen  en- 
listed men  in  Division  but  enlisted  strength  included  eleven 
hundred  and  sixty-four  so-called  enemy  aliens  who  cannot  go 
to  France  under  present  orders  and  about  eight  hundred  men 
who  will  probably  be  discharged  on  certificates  of  disability  or 
orders  from  Local  Boards  et  cetera  which  makes  effective 
force  about  twenty-one  thousand,  two  fifty-five  and  leaves  a 
shortage  of  forty-eight  eighty-four  to  fill  Division  to  full 
strength  period  If  six  hundred  and  five  enemy  aliens  who 
have  taken  oath  to  fight  for  United  States  anywhere  be  taken, 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  17 

men  needed  would  be  four  thousand,  two  hundred  seventy- 
nine.'*'^ 

On  January  24,  Major  General  John  F.  Morrison,  the 
director  of  training,  spent  the  day  at  Camp  Logan,  making 
thorough  inspections  and,  as  did  Colonel  Applin,  made  com- 
mendatory remarks  on  the  condition  of  the  troops.  The  week 
ending  January  26*^  was  notable  for  the  success  in  the 
"insurance  drive,"  as  a  result  of  which  the  Division  Com- 
mander was  enabled  to  report  that  "every  officer  on  duty  with 
the  33rd  Division  has  taken  out  $10,000  insurance."-*^ 

Frequent  allusion  has  been  made  to  the  impossibility  of 
getting  rid  of  the  alien  enemies  in  the  ranks  inasmuch  as  no 
definite  poHcy  respecting  their  disposition  had  been  formulated 
in  Washington.^*'  On  January  27,  however,  there  came  an 
official  announcement  to  the  effect  that  subjects  of  hostile 
countries  who  were  not  desirous  of  serving  in  the  army  were 
to  be  discharged  at  once,  but  that  an  agent  of  the  Department 
of  Justice  would  have  to  be  consulted  in  the  case  of  each  alien 
enemy  whose  internment  was  deemed  advisable.  The  partial 
solution  of  this  question,  which  had  been  a  fruitful  source  of 
annoyance  for  months,  cleared  the  way  for  the  complements 
of  men  required  to  overcome  the  existing  shortage. ^^  The 
Division  Commander  acted  instantly  and  sent  the  following 
characteristic  telegram  that  afternoon: 

The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army, 
Washington,  D.  C. 
About  forty-three  hundred  recruits  are  needed  for  this 
Division  and  I  urgently  request  that  they  be  sent  here  at  once 
period  While  I  was  in  France  Commanding  General  empha- 
sized the  absolute  necessity  of  sending  no  troops  which  were 
not  thoroughly  disciplined  and  equipped  period  I  do  not 
desire  to  be  advanced  on  priority  list  comma  that  is  matter  for 
War  Department  to  determine  itself  comma  but  I  should  like 
to  have  two  or  three  months  in  which  to  train  men  sent  to 
raise  Division  to  full  strength  period     Any  soldier  knows  that 

(2) 


18  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

to  fill  up  well  disciplined  Division  Vv^ith  four  thousand  green 
men  necessarily  decreases  the  efficiency  greatly  and  I  am 
endeavoring  to  avoid  impairing  efficiency  seriously  by  having 
recruits  unloaded  wholesale  on  Division  on  eve  of  its  depar- 
ture overseas  period  Am  certain  that  General  Morrison 
Director  of  Training  believes  in  filling  up  immediately  all 
Divisions  intended  for  France  period  If  this  is  doubted 
comma  request  that  you  consult  him  by  telegraph  period  I 
invite  attention  to  fact  that  there  are  plenty  of  Illinois  men 
in  northern  camps  where  they  are  virtually  hibernating  and 
cannot  train  whereas  not  a  day  has  been  lost  in  this  camp 
period  I  desire  to  command  a  fighting  comma  or  even  an 
Assault  Division  but  not  a  Replacement  Division  period 
There  are  plenty  of  others  not  so  advanced  in  training  as  this 
Division  which  could  be  selected  for  that  role  period  I  de- 
sire when  we  reach  France  to  be  a  help  comma  not  a  hindrance 
as  I  understand  Is  the  case  with  some  other  organizations 
already  sent  period  The  main  object  of  this  request  is  to 
render  effective  service  com.ma  to  talce  advantage  of  the 
opportunities  for  training  which  are  better  in  this  camp  than 
in  almost  any  other  in  the  United  States  or  France  and  more- 
over should  nice  to  have  a  sporting  chance  when  I  get  to 
France.  Bell. 

Apart  from  the  telegraphic  instructions  bearing  on  minor 
matters  which  poured  into  Division  Headquarters  in  a  steady 
stream,  the  first  week  of  February,  1918,  was  noteworthy  for 
five  communications  of  major  importance.  The  first  an- 
nounced that  forty-one  colonels  and  lieutenant  colonels  of  field 
artillery,  including  those  from  the  33rd  Division,  would  be 
sent  on  February  9  from  the  Brigade  and  Field  Officers' 
School  at  San  Antonio  to  the  School  of  Fire  at  Fort  Sill,  Okla- 
homa. The  second  directed  that  the  33rd  Division  be  made 
ready  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  for  duty  abroad  and 
that  notification  be  given  when  It  vv^as  equipped  and  in  readi- 
ness. The  third  ordered  that  a  regiment  of  infantry  be  sent 
to  Galveston,  Texas,  to  Major  General  Ruckman,  command- 
ing the  Southern  Department;  the  fourth  prescribed  a  report 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  19 

on  the  materiel,  competent  instructors,  and  needs  of  the  artil- 
lery brigade  required  to  secure  efficiency  in  the  minimum  time; 
and  the  fifth  announced  that  all  enlisted  men  sent  abroad  must 
be  fully  equipped. 

Early  in  the  second  week  in  February,  there  was  received 
a  lengthy  telegram  from  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army, 
which  explained  the  new  system  of  assigning  a  number  to 
every  soldier  and  allotted  to  the  33rd  Division  those  from 
1,375,000  to  1,410,000.  This  numbering  was  accomplished 
in  a  remarkably  short  time  but  the  labor  involved  can  be  better 
imagined  than  described.^-  On  February  10  a  communication 
was  received  emanating  from  the  office  of  The  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral of  the  Army  on  February  6,  and  announcing  that  the 
organization  of  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  would  be 
"that  prescribed  for  the  Sixth  division  of  each  corps,  known  in 
the  organization  project  as  the  base  and  training  division." 
This  was  tantamount  to  a  declaration  that  the  33rd  Division 
had  been  designated  as  a  replacement  division,  and  was  fol- 
lowed next  day  by  a  copy  of  this  same  communication  bearing 
a  first  indorsement,  dated  February  7,  1918,  and  addressed 
"To  the  Commanding  Generals  of  all  Regular,  National 
Guard  and  National  Army  Divisions  in  the  United  States,  for 
their  information."  This  drew  from  General  Bell  a  very 
vigorous  protest  against  the  judging  of  the  division  in  Feb- 
ruary by  conditions  set  forth  in  reports  made  by  inspectors 
general  in  November  and  December,  and  against  being 
"branded  to  the  entire  Army  in  the  United  States  as  ineffi- 
cient" without  an  opportunity  to  be  heard  and  without  proper 
investigation  by  War  Department  inspectors. ^^ 

The  close  of  the  second  week  in  February,  1918,  found 
Camp  Logan  at  the  top  of  the  list  of  camps  in  the  matter  of 
war  risk  insurance,  with  a  total  of  $316,000,500.^^  Unusual 
efforts  had  been  put  forth  for  weeks,  the  officers  and  men  had 


20  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

been  appealed  to  from  every  conceivable  angle — family,  busi- 
ness, personal,  medical,  logical,  sentimental,  and  otherwise — 
and  the  results  speak  for  themselves. 

On  February  18,^^  a  report  from  Major  J.  M.  Willis, 
commanding  the  base  hospital  at  Camp  Logan,  announced 
that  2,189  men  had  been  discharged  from  the  33rd  Division 
on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability/''"'  At  five  o'clock  that 
afternoon  all  officers  of  the  division,  other  than  those  of  in- 
fantry and  the  machine  gun  battalions,  assembled  and  were 
addressed  by  General  Bell.  After  reading  a  letter  from  an 
American  general  commending  the  division  and  telling  them 
of  the  flattering  comments  made  by  Colonel  Applin  and  Major 
Thenier  of  the  British  and  French  Military  Missions,  he 
declared  that  a  marked  slackening  in  the  work  had  become 
apparent.  This  state  of  affairs,  he  announced,  must  be  over- 
come; the  33rd  must  be  made  one  of  the  best  divisions;  he 
wanted  the  officers  to  do  their  part;  and  those  who  were  not 
willing  to  do  their  utmost  he  advised  to  hand  in  their  resigna- 
tions and  to  go  to  their  homes. ^'^ 

More  than  eleven  weeks  had  elapsed  since  anything  had 
been  heard  of  the  3,500  recruits  promised  on  December  3, 
1917,'5-^  but  at  9:08  p.m.  on  February  21,  1918,-'''»  a  telegram 
was  received  from  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  re- 
specting the  existing  shortage.  Twelve  minutes  later  the  fol- 
lowing response  was  en  route  : 

Retel  today  relative  to  number  of  men  required  to  fill 
this  Division  to  authorized  strength  period  Actual  vacancies 
now  existing  five  thousand  one  hundred  and  twenty-four 
comma  but  owing  to  large  number  of  prospective  vacancies 
about  six  thousand  men  should  be  sent  to  this  Division. 

Bell.''« 

The  last  day  of  February,  1918,  was  marked  by  the  first 
of  a  series  of  general  inspections  of  the  entire  division  which 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  21 

took  place  at  varying  intervals  during  two  months.  This 
initial  inspection  revealed  a  marked  improvement  in  the  troops 
but,  at  the  same  time,  disclosed  a  number  of  defects,  and 
stringent  orders  were  given  by  General  Bell  for  their  immedi- 
ate correction.  Vhc  month  of  February  was  characterized  by 
a  gratifying  progress  in  the  appearance,  discipline,  training, 
and  general  efficiency  of  the  division.  The  work  of  former 
months  was  accelerated  to  a  noticeable  degree,  and  the  re- 
sponse on  the  part  of  officers  and  men  was  distinctly  encoura- 
ging. The  stage  in  which  the  training  could  be  intensive  in  the 
fullest  sense  of  the  word  had  at  last  been  reached,  and  the 
various  schools  were  worked  at  full  blast.  The  indolent  and 
the  shirker,  of  whatever  rank,  were  dealt  with  in  a  summary 
fashion,  and  the  weeding  out  of  incompetents  continued  un- 
abated. Every  effort  was  made  to  develop  both  practical  skill 
and  initiative,  and,  to  that  end,  particularly  intensive  training 
was  given  in  gallery  and  target  practice''^  and  in  bayonet  work. 
The  infantry  was  given  tours  of  duty  in  a  system  of  trenches 
and  was  subjected  to  gas  attacks  arranged  by  the  British  and 
French  instructors  to  simulate  as  closely  as  possible  actual 
battle  conditions  on  the  Allied  western  front.  Not  one  whit 
behind  the  infantry  was  the  artillery  in  its  training;  practice 
was  now  begun  in  the  firing  of  live  shells,  shrapnel,  and  bar- 
rages.*- 

Aside  from  the  usual  routine,  the  first  week  of  March, 
1918,  was  noteworthy  chiefly  for  the  arrival  of  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Paul  A.  Wolf,  who  reported  for  duty  and  assumed  com- 
mand of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  and  for  the  visit  of  Rep- 
resentative (later  Senator)  Medill  McCormick  of  Illinois. 
Instructions  were  received  on  March  4  to  send  to  Washington 
all  general  officers,  including  the  Division  Commander,  who 
had  not  been  physically  examined.  Three  days  later  Major 
General  Ruckman,  commanding  the  Southern  Department,  re- 


22  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

quested  that  a  battalion  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer  of  the  57th  Infantry,  so  as  to  comply  with  a 
direct  order  from  the  Secretary  of  War  respecting  certain 
guards,  but  fortunately  subsequent  arrangements  obviated  the 
necessity  for  this  measure.*'^ 

The  ensuing  week  of  March  was  characterized  by  a  few 
occurrences  deserving  of  notice,  the  principal  one  of  which 
related  to  the  shortage  in  men  which  still  existed,  notwith- 
standing the  promise  of  3,500  made  on  December  3,  1917. 

The  following  letter  was  sent  to  Washington : 

Headquarters,  33rd  Division,     FLH-hel-bf. 

Camp  Logan,  Houston,  Texas. 

March  9th,  1918. 
From: —       Commanding  General,  33rd  Division. 
To : —  Chief  of  Staff,  U.  S.  Army,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Subject: —     Recruits  needed  by  the  33rd  Division. 

1.  There  are  herewith  attached  and  marked  "Inclosure 
No.  1"  copies  of  telegrams  and  other  communications  sent  to 
the  War  Department,  covering  a  period  from  December  11, 
1917 — almost  immediately  after  my  return  from  France — to 
February  22,  1918,  regarding  the  number  of  recruits  needed 
by  this  Division  to  expand  it  to  its  maximum  authorized 
strength. 

2.  While  in  France,  the  Commanding  General,  A.  E. 
F.,  personally  declared  to  me  that  no  divisions  should  be  sent 
overseas  unless  they  were  thoroughly  disciplined  and  equip- 
ped, and  the  attached  correspondence  will  demonstrate  that  I 
have  been,  and  am  still  doing,  my  utmost  to  conform  to  his 
wishes.  I  know  no  royal  road  to  efficiency  except  through 
discipline  and  training.  It  must  be  obvious  that  any  division, 
no  matter  how  efficient,  is  necessarily  greatly  weakened  by  the 
infusion  of  raw  recruits  on  the  eve  of  taking  the  field.  For 
that  reason  I  have  made  every  conceivable  endeavor  to  have 
the  five  thousand  men  needed  by  this  division  sent  here  at  once 
in  order  that  they  may  be  at  least  partially  trained  before  our 
departure  overseas.  The  Chief  of  Staff  ought  to  know  per- 
sonally the  present  needs  of  this  division  with  reference  to 
recruits.    If  then  he  is  in  accord  with  the  policy  of  delaying 


BRIGADIER   GENERAL   PAUL   A.   WOLF 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  23 

the  assignment  of  recruits  until  tlie  eve  of  the  departure  of  the 
division,  I  will  do  my  utmost  to  carry  out  his  wishes.  If,  on 
the  other  hand,  such  is  not  his  desire,  I  recommend,  in  the 
strongest  possible  terms,  that  the  recruits  needed  by  this 
division  be  sent  to  it  immediately.  Twenty-eight  recruits  for 
the  370th  Infantry  passed  that  regiment  en  route  and  arrived 
here  the  day  after  its  departure.  Such  things  do  not  create 
efficiency. 

3.  It  is  requested  that  this  communication  be  referred 
to  the  Chief  of  Staff  himself  and  not  to  a  subordinate.  Hav- 
ing been  a  Staff  officer  I  know  only  too  well  how  important 
communications  frequently  never  reach  the  officer  to  whom 
they  are  addressed.  George  Bell,  Jr., 

Major  General,  N.  A. 

On  March  1 1  the  Division  Signal  Officer,  Major  Karl 
Truesdell,  was  relieved  and  ordered  to  Hoboken  "prepared 
for  extended  field  service"  abroad.  On  the  following  day, 
after  a  thorough  inspection  of  the  132nd  Infantry  the  Regular 
colonel  then  in  command  of  that  regiment  was  relieved  and 
was  subsequently  detached  from  the  division.  At  adjutant's 
call  that  day  official  announcement  was  made  of  the  new  policy 
forbidding  all  commissioned  officers  of  the  33rd  Division  to 
leave  camp  on  the  nights  of  Monday,  Tuesday,  Thursday, 
and  Friday  of  each  week.  Two  hours  of  study  or  recitation 
were  prescribed  for  those  nights  and,  in  addition,  study  or  a 
tactical  walk  each  Wednesday  from  1  :30  to  5  :30  p.m.*'^ 

March  19^^  was  notable  for  the  visit  of  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral W.  A.  White,  Royal  Army,  who  was  in  charge  of  recruit- 
ing for  the  British  in  the  United  States  and  Canada,  and  who 
delivered  an  address  that  evening  in  Houston.  A  Division 
School  of  Operations  was  established,  with  sessions  on  the 
evenings  of  Tuesday  and  Thursday  of  each  week,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  familiarizing  the  principal  officers  of  the  command 
with  the  fundamentals  of  organization,  staff  work,  billeting, 
and  supply. °^     By  far  the  most  important  event  of  that  day 


24  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

was  the  receipt  of  a  telegram  from  Major  General  Thomas 
H.  Barry,  commanding  the  86th  Division  at  Camp  Grant, 
Rockford,  Illinois,  announcing  that  orders  from  the  War  De- 
partment directed  that  2,700  men  be  transferred  to  the  33rd 
Division  within  the  next  eight  days,  and  asking  whether  they 
could  be  received.  An  affirmative  response  was  immediately 
telegraphed,  and  preparations  were  begun  to  care  for  this 
increment  which  had  been  expected  for  more  than  three 
months. ^'^ 

On  March  22,*^^  instructions  were  received  from  The 
Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  to  report  at  once  the  shortage 
of  men  in  each  arm  of  the  service  in  the  division,  specifying 
the  needs  of  each  regiment  of  artillery  and  infantry  as  well 
as  those  of  the  other  units.  The  Division  Commander  re- 
quested authorization  to  establish  a  detention  camp  for  the 
new  recruits  but  v/as  informed  two  days  later  that  such  a  camp 
was  not  deemed  necessary,  since  the  drafted  men  who  would 
be  sent  would  have  had  more  than  a  fortnight's  service  In 
their  own  depot  brigade  or  dlvision.*^'-^  In  the  meantime,  the 
receipt  of  copies  of  the  Instructions  sent  to  the  Commanding 
Generals  of  Camps  Grant,  Dodge,  and  Taylor  afforded  the 
information  that  2,700  drafted  men  would  be  received  from 
the  86th  Division,  2,300  from  the  88th  Division,  and  1,000 
from  the  84th  Division. "^^ 

On  the  afternoon  of  March  26  the  officers  of  the  division 
were  hastily  assembled  and  given  another  straightforward 
talk  by  General  Bell,  who  laid  the  utmost  stress  upon  the 
necessity  of  subordinating  all  other  matters  to  that  of  getting 
the  troops  into  fighting  condition.  The  existing  defects,  he 
declared,  lay  within  the  power  of  the  officers  to  rectify,  and 
the  necessity  for  the  strictest  discipline  was  again  emphasized. 
This  meeting  was  supplemented  by  General  Order  No.  48, 
issued  next  day,  subjecting  officers  and  men  to  identical  restric- 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  25 

tlons  in  respect  to  leaving  camp  at  night.  All  soldiers  were 
required  to  remain  in  camp  on  the  nights  of  Monday,  Tues- 
day, Thursday,  and  Friday,  for  the  purpose  of  study.  In 
order  to  overcome  the  existing  deficiencies,  night  schools  were 
established  and  the  hours  of  drill  were  increased  from  seven 
to  eight  a  day,  divided  equally  between  the  morning  and  after- 
noon."^^ 

Apart  from  the  "speeding-up"  of  the  work  of  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  division,  the  last  ten  days  of  March, 
1918,''-  were  notable  chiefly  for  the  visits  of  Major  Thenier 
of  the  French  Military  Mission,  Major  Ragnald  Hvoslef,  the 
first  military  attache  from  Norway  to  the  United  States,  and 
the  notification  that  the  108th  Engineers  and  the  108th  Engi- 
neer Train  would  be  sent  to  France  as  soon  as  they  were  in 
readiness  and  the  necessary  vessels  were  available. 

The  opening  week  of  April,  1918,  was  characterized  by 
several  events  of  more  than  ordinary  importance.  On  April 
2  came  a  notification  from  the  Commanding  General  of  the 
86th  Division  that  891  enlisted  men  had  left  Camp  Grant  that 
day  for  Camp  Logan  and  that  they  would  be  followed  by  900 
men  next  day  and  a  like  number  on  April  4.  Final  disposition 
of  the  alien-born  in  the  ranks  was  still  impossible  since  no 
definite  policy  respecting  them  had  yet  been  announced  from 
Washington.  A  few  days  previously  a  ruling  had  been  re- 
ceived from  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  to  the  effect 
that  officers  born  in  enemy  countries  could  be  utilized  over- 
seas provided  their  loyalty  to  the  United  States  was  beyond 
question.  The  Division  Commander  thereupon  inquired  by 
telegraph  whether  a  similar  ruling  would  be  applicable  to  sol- 
diers who,  although  born  in  hostile  countries,  were  thoroughly 
loyal  and  who  had  made  a  sworn  statement  that  they  would 
"serve  in  the  United  States  Army  anywhere  and  against  any 
enemy  whatsoever."     The  response,  which  settled  finally  this 


26  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

problem  that  had  been  the  source  of  such  vexation  for  months, 
was  to  the  effect  that  enlisted  men  born  in  enemy  countries 
might  be  sent  overseas  provided  they  had  been  completely 
naturalized,  whereas  those  who  had  not  become  wholly  nat- 
uralized were  not  to  be  allowed  to  serve  in  Europe,  irrespec- 
tive of  their  wishes. '^^ 

On  April  4,  some  of  the  officers  who  had  spent  more  than 
three  months  at  the  Brigade  and  Field  Officers'  School  at  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  returned  to  the  division,  and  Colonel  John 
J.  Garrity  was  transferred  from  the  command  of  the  132nd 
Infantry  to  that  of  the  130th  Infantry,  replacing  Colonel 
Frank  S.  Wood,  relieved. '^^  On  April  5  occurred  the  first 
review  of  the  entire  33rd  Division  which  was  held  at  the 
manoeuvre  grounds  four  miles  north  of  Camp  Logan.  Be- 
ginning at  9 :45  A.  M.,  three  hours  were  required  for  the 
troops  to  pass  in  front  of  General  Bell  and  his  Staff  and, 
although  certain  defects  were  noticeable,  the  troops  and 
animals  showed  a  marked  improvement  since  the  various 
brigade  and  regimental  reviews  which  had  been  held  fre- 
quently in  the  preceding  weeks. '^  That  same  day  General 
Order  No.  52  was  issued,  embodying  for  the  information  and 
guidance  of  all  concerned,  the  numerous  regulations  which 
would  govern  the  transfer  of  the  division  to  the  port  of  em- 
barkation. April  5  marked  the  arrival  of  the  first  increment 
of  drafted  men  destined  to  fill  the  division  to  its  maximum 
strength.  The  following  table  enumerates  those  received 
during  the  course  of  the  month  i"^^ 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN 


Z1 


DATE  OF 
ARRIVAL 

N'UMBER 
OF  MEN 

FROM 

April  c 

892 
891 
814 

1,150 
500 

1,148 
500 
100 
150 

1,000 

86th  Division,  Camp  Grant,  Rockford,  Illinois 

86th  Division,  Camp  Grant 

86th  Division,  Camp  Grant 

88th  Division,  Camp  Dodge,  Des  Moines,  Iowa 

84th  Division,  Camp  Taylor,  Louisville,  Kentucky 

88th  Division,  Camp  Dodge 

84th  Division,  Camp  Taylor 

86th  Division,  Camp  Grant 

Base  Hospital,  88th  Division,  Camp  Dodge 

Depot  Brigade,  86th  Division,  Camp  Grant 

April  6 

Aoril  7 

April  8 

April  8 

Aoril  q 

April  lo 

April  2T 

April  25 

April  29 

Total 7>i45 


As  these  successive  detachments  reached  Camp  Logan, 
they  were  formed  into  two  new  organizations  created  for  the 
express  purpose  of  putting  them  into  the  best  possible  condi- 
tion, physically  and  otherwise,  before  distributing  them 
throughout  the  division,  thus  avoiding  all  unnecessary  trans- 
fers subsequently.  The  first  3,000  recruits  were  incorporated 
into  the  "First  Provisional  Regiment"  under  the  command  of 
Major  H,  C.  Ridgway,  and  the  remaining  4,145  into  the 
"Second  Provisional  Regiment"  under  Captain  William  H. 
Simpson,  General  Bell's  senior  aide-de-camp.  They  were 
subjected  to  a  searching  physical  examination,  given  intensive 
training  each  day,  their  service  records  were  put  into  perfect 
order,  and,  after  a  thorough  examination  of  their  qualifica- 
tion cards,  supplemented  by  personal  investigation,  the  men 
themselves  were  classified  and  assigned,  during  the  latter  part 
of  April,  to  the  various  units  according  to  the  needs  of  each 
organization. 

On  April  6,  with  the  object  of  stimulating  interest  in  the 
Third  Liberty  Loan,  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  the  122nd 
Field  Artillery,  and  Ambulance  Company  No.  131  paraded  in 
Houston  and  were  reviewed  from  the  balcony  of  the  Rice 
Hotel  by  the  Division  Commander. 


28  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Apart  from  minor  matters — many  of  them  more  or  less 
routine  in  their  nature — training  of  the  most  intensive  sort, 
and  the  arrival  of  five  increments  of  recruits  enumerated  in 
the  table  given  above,  the  second  week  of  April,  1918,  was 
noteworthy  chiefly  for  the  exchange  of  telegrams  between  The 
Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  and  the  Division  Commander 
on  the  subject  of  the  shortage  still  unfilled  in  the  division,  the 
former  laying  particular  emphasis  upon  the  conservation  of 
the  enlisted  personnel  and  the  elimination  of  such  men  only 
as  were  manifestly  unsuited  for  foreign  service.  General  Bell 
reported  that  the  108th  Engineers  and  the  108th  Engineer 
Train  were  in  readiness  for  over-sea  service,  but  that  certain 
minor  shortages  in  the  way  of  clothing  would  have  to  be  fur- 
nished them  at  the  port  of  embarkation.  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
the  instructions  received  from  several  sources  relative  to  the 
supply  of  clothing  for  foreign  service  were  so  contradictory 
that  information  was  requested  as  to  which  system  was  to  be 
followed. ''^^ 

During  the  third  week  in  April,  General  Bell  reported  to 
The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army  that.  Inclusive  of  the  103 
men  still  expected  from  Camp  Grant,  763  recruits  were 
needed  to  fill  the  vacancies  caused  by  the  transfer  of  the  alien 
enemies  out  of  the  division.  Eighty  enlisted  men  who  had 
failed  to  qualify  for  commissions  at  the  training  camp  at  Leon 
Springs,  Texas,  returned  to  the  division  as  did  some  of  the 
oflUcers  who  had  attended  the  Brigade  and  Field  Officers' 
School  at  San  Antonio,  where  six  from  the  33rd  Division  were 
unsuccessful  in  passing  the  final  examination.  Three  telegrams 
of  major  importance  were  received  from  The  Adjutant  Gen- 
eral of  the  Army:  the  first  ordered  the  108th  Engineers  and 
108th  Engineer  Train  to  be  sent  to  Hoboken,  leaving  on 
April  23  for  Camp  Merritt,  New  Jersey;  the  second  directed 
that  all  alien  enemies  in  the  division  who  had  not  completed 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  29 

their  naturalization  be  transferred  to  the  44th  Infantry  at 
Camp  Lewis,  American  Lake,  Washington;  while  the  third 
greatly  reduced  the  number  of  enlisted  men  in  the  School 
Detail  of  officers  and  men  destined  to  precede  the  division 
overseas  for  special  training,  and  prescribed  that  this  party 
be  made  ready  to  sail  early  in  June. 

The  fourth  week  in  April,  1918,  opened  with  the  return 
from  the  Officers'  Training  Camp  at  Leon  Springs  of  156 
men  of  the  33rd  Division  who  had  successfully  completed  the 
course  and  had  thus  become  eligible  for  commissions.'^^  On 
April  22  Appendix  No.  1  to  General  Order  No.  52^^  was 
issued  in  printed  form  with  supplementary  information  bear- 
ing upon  the  movement  of  the  division  to  the  port  of  embarka- 
tion, and  about  noon  on  the  following  day,  to  the  envy  of 
their  fellow  soldiers,  the  108th  Engineers,  under  Colonel 
Henry  A.  Allen,  and  the  108th  Engineer  Train  marched  out 
of  Camp  Logan  and  entrained  for  Camp  Merritt,  en  route 
overseas.  The  significance  of  the  departure  of  these  two 
units,  thus  forming  the  vanguard  of  the  division,  was  fully 
appreciated  and  the  preparations  for  the  expected  movement, 
which  had  been  systematically  made  for  many  weeks,  were 
thereby  given  an  additional  impetus.  That  the  signs  had  been 
correctly  interpreted  was  attested  by  the  fact  that  before  the 
end  of  the  week  orders  were  received  to  send  off  the  Division 
Headquarters,  Headquarters  Troop,  the  122nd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  the  entire  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  and  four  camp 
infirmaries,  so  as  to  reach  Camp  Upton,  Long  Island,  as  soon 
as  possible  after  midday  on  May  2.  Upon  receipt  of  these 
instructions  a  number  of  telegrams  were  dispatched,  recalling 
all  officers  on  leave  or  absent  for  any  reason  except  by  orders 
from  higher  authority. ^° 

On  the  morning  of  April  25,  704  alien  enemies — that  is, 
aliens  born  in  enemy  countries  and  who  had  not  completed 


30  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

their  naturalization — left  Camp  Logan  under  the  command 
of  Major  John  D.  White,  124th  Field  Artillery,  en  route  for 
Camp  Lewis,  Washington. ^^ 

Frequent  allusion  has  been  made  to  the  repeated  efforts 
of  General  Bell,  beginning  immediately  after  his  return  from 
France  at  the  end  of  November,  1917,  to  have  all  vacancies 
filled  in  the  enlisted  personnel  of  the  division  and  the  necessary 
recruits  sent  promptly  in  order  that  they  might  be  given  two 
or  three  months'  training  before  the  command  started  over- 
seas.^- As  late  as  April  22,  1918,  and  within  a  few  days  after 
the  receipt  of  orders  for  the  departure  of  the  Division  Head- 
quarters, the  last  increment  of  recruits  had  not  arrived  from 
Camp  Grant.  In  response  to  a  telegram  received  that  day 
from  the  Commanding  General  of  the  86th  Division,  announ- 
cing that  he  had  been  ordered  by  the  War  Department  to 
transfer  1,000  men  to  the  33rd  Division,  General  Bell  tele- 
graphed him  that  he  "would  like  to  have  the  one  thousand 
soldiers  mentioned  as  soon  as  possible,"  and  two  days  later 
he  again  telegraphed  the  Commander  of  the  86th  Division: 
"How  soon  can  you  send  one  thousand  men?  Should  like 
them  as  quickly  as  possible.  Please  answer. "^^  As  shown  in 
the  table  on  page  27,  the  entire  7,145  recruits  arrived  within 
the  month  of  April  and  the  final  increment  did  not  arrive  until 
April  29.  Yet  General  Bell  had  urgently  recommended  on 
January  27,  1918,  that  the  efficiency  of  the  division  be  not 
seriously  impaired  "by  having  recruits  unloaded  wholesale  on 
Division  on  eve  of  its  departure  overseas."^* 

Strenuous  indeed  were  the  closing  days  of  April,  1918,  as 
is  invariably  the  case  during  the  hours  immediately  preceding 
a  long  journey  by  any  considerable  body  of  troops. ^^  Aside 
from  the  preparations  which  of  necessity  cannot  be  made  until 
the  last  moment,  the  arrival  of  such  a  large  number  of  recruits 
at  the  eleventh  hour  entailed  Herculean  labor  to  assign  them 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  31 

to  the  various  units  according  to  the  needs  of  the  organiza- 
tions and  the  quahfications  of  the  men  themselves.  By  dint 
of  extraordinary  efforts,  the  task  was  successfully  accom- 
plished^^ and,  on  April  30,  Confidential  General  Order  No.  37 
was  issued  for  the  departure  of  the  leading  units  of  the  divi- 
sion beginning  on  May  1.  On  the  evening  of  April  30,  the 
Division  Commander,  accompanied  by  his  two  Aides-de- 
Camp,  Captains  William  H.  Simpson  and  Frank  Baackes,  and 
by  the  Division  Adjutant,  Major  Huidekoper,  left  Hous- 
ton for  Washington,  where  they  spent  three  days  on  business 
pertaining  to  the  division, '^^  and  reached  Camp  Upton,  Yap- 
hank,  Long  Island,  about  noon  on  May  6,  in  advance  of  all 
troops  except  the  Headquarters  Detachment  and  the  Head- 
quarters Troop,  and  the  officers  of  the  Division  Staff. 

Brigadier  General  Todd,  of  the  58th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade,  who  had  been  left  in  command  at  Camp  Logan,  had 
meanwhile  received  orders  from  The  Adjutant  General  of  the 
Army  to  send  to  Camp  Upton  the  remaining  units  of  the 
division  and  to  ship  to  Hoboken  the  advanced  detachment  of 
314  officers  and  men  destined  for  training  overseas.  This 
operation  was  pushed  as  rapidly  as  possible  in  view  of  con- 
flicting orders  and  the  failure  of  the  railway  officials  to  furnish 
the  Pullman  cars  allotted  to  three  sections  of  the  trains 
scheduled  to  leave  Camp  Logan  on  May  8.*^  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  the  movement  of  the  division  from  Texas  to  Camp 
Upton'*"  and  Camp  Merritt"^  was  effected  with  remarkable 
dispatch  considering  the  distance  and  the  number  of  troops 
and  equipment  to  be  moved. 

Meanwhile,  the  Division  Commander  and  his  Staff  were 
busily  occupied  at  Camp  Upton  with  the  multiplicity  of  details 
attendant  upon  any  movement  of  troops  overseas.  The  vari- 
ous detachments  arrived  in  rapid  succession  after  May  6,  but 
their  stay  was  comparatively  brief  and  on  May  8  the  exodus 


32  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

of  the  33rd  Division  began  with  the  departure  for  the  port  of 
embarkation  at  Hoboken,  New  Jersey,  of  the  advance  party 
composed  of  fifteen  officers  and  fifteen  men  under  Major 
Frank  W.  Barber,  and  another  party  under  Brigadier  General 
Hill,  followed  on  May  9^^  by  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion and  on  May  10  by  the  Headquarters  of  the  65th 
Infantry  Brigade  and  the  major  portion  of  the  129th  In- 
fantry.^^  There  were  no  departures  of  troops  during  the 
week-end  of  May  1 1  to  May  13,  and  the  preceding  week  was 
notable  for  three  visits  paid  to  the  "Prairie  Division"  by  the 
Honorable  Frank  O.  Lowden,  governor  of  Illinois,  on  May 
6,  9,  and  13.  At  1  :30  p.  m.  on  Thursday,  May  9,  he  made  a 
very  happy  and  stirring  address  to  the  troops  of  the  33rd 
Division  then  at  Camp  Upton,  bidding  them  Godspeed  and 
assuring  them  of  the  pride  and  deep  interest  of  the  people  of 
Illinois  in  their  career  overseas.  On  Monday,  May  13,  at  the 
same  hour,  he  delivered  a  similar  speech  to  the  troops  which 
had  arrived  in  the  meantime.^^ 

At  four  o'clock  that  afternoon,  the  Division  Commander, 
accompanied  by  his  two  Aides-de-Camp,  left  for  New  York, 
and  early  next  morning  the  outward  movement  of  troops  to 
Hoboken  was  resumed.^*  In  the  case  of  some  of  the  last  units, 
their  stay  at  Camp  Upton  was  limited  to  twenty-four  hours 
and  the  preparation  of  the  voluminous  passenger  lists  and  the 
numerous  other  papers  required  at  the  port  of  embarkation, 
coupled  with  the  ordinary  work  connected  with  such  a  rapid 
movement,  demanded  the  most  strenuous  efforts  on  the  part  of 
officers  and  men  alike.  The  results,  however,  fully  justified 
the  many  arduous  hours  spent  in  acquiring  the  habit  of 
accuracy  in  the  compilation  of  records,''^  as  well  as  in  other 
military  matters. 

The  first  organizations  of  the  33rd  Division  to  sail  were 
the  108th  Engineers  and  the  108th  Engineer  Train,  which  had 


AT  CAMP  LOGAN  33 

left  Camp  Logan  on  April  23  and  had  spent  a  few  days  at 
Camp  Meriitt,  New  Jersey.  They  left  Hoboken  on  May  8 
and  reached  Brest  on  May  18.  The  troops  which  passed 
through  Camp  Upton  followed  on  May  10,  16,  and  22,  the 
Division  Commander  and  his  Staff  sailing  on  May  16.  The 
58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  which  passed  through  Camp 
Merritt,  came  next  on  May  26,  and  the  rear  was  brought  up 
on  June  4  by  its  commander  and  by  the  108th  Sanitary 
Train. ""^  In  nearly  every  instance,  the  transports  were  dis- 
patched in  convoys  composed  of  two  or  more  ships,  and  all 
transports  were  met,  when  about  thirty-six  hours  from  Brest, 
by  five  or  more  American  destroyers  and  were  escorted  into 
port.  Notwithstanding  the  absence  of  lights  at  night,  the 
crowding  of  the  ships, ''^  which  was  imperative  in  view  of  the 
urgent  needs  of  the  Allies  for  men,  and  certain  other  unavoid- 
able discomforts,  the  troops  suffered  no  serious  hardships. 
The  strictest  discipline  was  maintained,  particular  attention 
being  paid  to  the  health  and  cleanliness  of  the  command,  and 
boat  drills  took  place  at  least  once  daily. ''^  The  voyages  were 
devoid  of  important  episode,  with  one  exception:  the 
Leviathan,  when  within  sight  of  the  lighthouse  outside  of 
Brest,  faced  the  simultaneous  attack  of  several  German  sub- 
marines. Fortunately  it  escaped  unscathed,  and  it  was  as- 
serted by  credible  eyewitnesses  that  two  of  the  submarines 
were  sunk  by  gunfire  and  that  the  American  destroyers  cap- 
tured a  third  and  towed  it,  crew  and  all,  into  the  harbor  of 
Brest.»9 


f3) 


II.     TRAINING    AND    OPERATIONS    WITH    THE 
BRITISH  ARMY 

The  first  increment  of  the  33rd  Division  to  reach  France 
was  made  up  of  the  108th  Engineers,  under  Colonel  Henry  A. 
Allen,  and  the  108th  Engineer  Train,  which  landed  at  Brest 
on  May  18,  1918.  They  were  followed  five  days  later  by  a 
convoy  with  part  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  under  Briga- 
dier General  Henry  R.  Hill,  and  the  122nd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion.  On  May  24^  arrived  a  convoy  composed  of  the 
Mount  Vernon  and  Agamemnon,  bearing  the  Division  Com- 
mander, his  Staff,  part  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  under 
Brigadier  General  Paul  A.  Wolf,  two  regiments  of  infantry 
and  certain  other  units;  six  days  later  the  remainder  of  the 
infantry,  the  108th  Train  Headquarters  and  Mihtary  Police, 
and  the  108th  Supply  Train  landed  at  Brest. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  General  Bell  at  Brest  no  informa- 
tion existed  at  the  headquarters  of  the  commanding  general  of 
the  port  of  disembarkation  as  to  the  first  station  of  the  33rd 
Division  in  France.  That  evening,  however,  orders  were 
received  directing  the  Division  Headquarters  to  proceed  "to 
Base  Section  No.  4"  (i.  e.,  Havre), ^  but  this  destination  was 
subsequently  changed  to  Rouen.  In  compliance  with  these 
orders,  the  Division  Commander,  accompanied  by  his  Staff 
and  by  the  greater  part  of  the  Headquarters  Detachment,  left 
Brest  on  May  25  at  3:20  P.M.;  but,  upon  reaching  Paris  at 
4:30  A.M.  on  the  following  day,  a  British  staff  oflicer  ap- 
peared at  the  Gare  Montparnasse  with  orders  changing  the 
destination  to  Oisemont.  The  journey  was  altered  accord- 
ingly and  Oisemont  was  reached  that  same  evening.     On  the 

34 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  35 

next  day  a  new  destination  was  given  and  the  Division  Head- 
quarters were  established  that  afternoon  (May  27)  at  Huppy, 
about  five  miles  south  of  Abbeville.^  In  the  "Huppy  area" 
the  Division  Commander  was  rejoined  by  most  of  his  com- 
mand, the  headquarters  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  being 
located  at  Haucourt  and  that  of  the  108th  Engineers  at 
Tailly.'*  It  was  not  until  June  2  that  the  65th  Infantry  Bri- 
gade reached  Behen,^  having  been  delayed  en  route  by  an 
epidemic  of  scarlet  fever.  At  this  time  the  town  of  Abbeville 
was  so  severely  bombed  almost  every  night  by  enemy  aero- 
planes that  slow  evacuation  was  begun.  The  German  prepa- 
ration for  their  anticipated  drive  to  the  sea  via  Amiens  and 
Abbeville  was  apparently  well  under  way. 

The  first  casualty  in  the  33rd  Division  occurred  on  the 
night  of  May  26,  when  a  train  containing  the  headquarters  of 
the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  the  headquarters  troop,  and  a 
part  of  the  headquarters  detachment,  was  pursued  and  bombed 
by  German  aeroplanes  near  Rouen;  and  Sergeant  Kenna  of 
the  headquarters  troop  was  slightly  wounded.^ 

Upon  arrival  in  the  Huppy  area  the  33rd  Division 
became  part  of  the  Ilnd  American  Army  Corps  and,  by  virtue 
of  its  location,  passed  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Fourth 
British  Army  (General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson).  A  course  of 
intensive  training  was  immediately  inaugurated,'^  but  it  was 
not  until  June  26  that  the  whole  division  less  the  artillery 
brigade  was  once  more  united.^ 

Decoration  Day,  May  30,  was  memorable  for  the  visit 
paid  to  the  Division  Commander  at  the  Chateau  Carnett,  at 
Huppy,  by  Field  Marshal  Sir  Douglas  Haig,  accompanied  by 
his  Aide-de-Camp  and  by  Major  Robert  Bacon,  former  am- 
bassador to  France  and  secretary  of  state.  The  British  Com- 
mander-in-Chief was  received  with  full  honors.^ 

On  June  9,    1918,    the    33rd    Division    moved    in    two 


36  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

marches  to  the  Eu  area,  where  it  succeeded  the  35th  American 
Division^'^  (Major  General  WilHam  M.  Wright),  which  had 
then  started  for  the  Toul  sector.  There  was  some  difficulty 
in  disposing  of  the  American  equipment  and  in  getting  for  the 
troops  the  necessary  British  equipment,  due  to  the  decided 
shortage,  but  eventually  this  matter  was  adjusted  to  the  satis- 
faction of  all  concerned.^^  By  June  12,  the  "Program  of 
Training  (first  phase)"  prescribed  by  General  Headquarters, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces,  was  in  full  operation.^-  This 
training,  effected  with  the  assistance  and  advice  of  the  30th 
British  Division  under  Major  General  Williams,  was  of 
the  most  intensive  sort,  comprising  problems  ranging 
from  the  battalion  to  the  division,  and  proved  extremely  bene- 
ficial.^^ A  number  of  officers  and  enlisted  men  were  also 
ordered  away  to  various  schools,  some  in  France,  others  in 
England  ;^^  indeed,  with  the  exception  of  the  Chief  of  Staff, 
almost  all  the  heads  of  the  departments  of  the  Division  Staff 
were  sent  to  school  and  were  replaced  by  substitutes.^^ 

In  compliance  with  orders  from  the  XlXth  Corps,  Brit- 
ish Expeditionary  Forces,  the  108th  Engineers  were  sent 
forward  on  June  13,  1918,  to  the  Bois  de  Querrieu  to  work, 
under  the  supervision  of  the  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Fourth 
British  Army,  on  the  intrenchments  of  the  "Army  Line"  to 
Poulainville  in  the  vicinity  of  Amiens. ^"^  At  this  point  the 
Germans  were  fully  expected  to  make  a  mighty  effort  to  break 
through  in  their  endeavor  to  reach  the  English  Channel. 

On  June  20-21,^^  pursuant  to  orders  from  the  Ilnd 
Corps,  American  Expeditionary  Forces,  and  the  XlXth 
Corps,  British  Expeditionary  Forces,  the  33rd  Division 
moved  by  bus  and  marching  to  the  Long,  Ilird  Corps,  and 
Martainneville  areas,  the  Division  Headquarters  being  estab- 
lished at  Molliens-au-Bois  on  the  afternoon  of  June  21.^* 

Two  days  later  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  and  the  122nd 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  37 

Machine  Gun  Battalion  occupied  the  Vaden  line  for  twenty- 
four  hours  as  a  test,  but,  on  June  26/*^  this  battalion,  together 
with  the  machine  gun  companies  of  the  131st  and  132nd  In- 
fantry, was  transferred  to  the  Bois  de  Querrieu  for  duty  with 
the  Australian  Corps,  and  the  66th  Brigade  began  the  con- 
struction and  wiring  of  the  "Daily  Mail  Line"  of  intrench- 
ments.-^  On  June  29  and  30,-^  certain  companies  were 
ordered  to  commence  training  under  the  Australian  Corps  and 
certain  machine  gun  units  were  sent  to  Pont  Remy  for  target 
practice.  On  July  2,  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  held  a  tactical 
exercise  on  the  Baisieux-Warloy  line  and  that  afternoon  the 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
General  John  J.  Pershing,  paid  a  visit  to  the  Division  Com- 
mander-^ and  made  a  short  speech  to  the  officers  of  the 
Division  Staff.  During  the  period  from  June  13  to  July  4  a 
number  of  officers  and  men  were  sent  away  to  various 
schools. ^^  The  training  was  continued  in  a  decidedly  inten- 
sive fashion  and  every  effort  was  exerted  to  bring  the  com- 
mand up  to  the  highest  standard  of  military  efficiency.^* 

In  the  meantime  plans  had  been  initiated  by  the  British 
for  an  operation  which  was  destined  to  redound  greatly  to  the 
credit  of  the  33rd  Division  and,  through  it,  to  the  American 
army  at  large.  General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson,  commanding 
the  Fourth  British  Army,  had  asked  permission  of  the  Com- 
manding General  of  the  Ilnd  American  Corps  to  utilize  cer- 
tain units  of  the  33rd  Division  in  an  attack  which  he  contem- 
plated making,  and  his  request  was  granted. ^^  After  being 
filled  up  to  maximum  strength,  two  companies  (C  and  E, 
131st  Infantry)  were  accordingly  sent  to  report  to  the  gen- 
eral commanding  the  11th  Australian  Brigade,  and  two  com- 
panies (A  and  G,  132nd  Infantry)  to  the  commander  of  the 
4th  Australian  Brigade,  both  of  the  Australian  Corps  under 
Lieutenant  General  Sir  John  Monash.     Reaching  their  desti- 


38  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

nations  on  the  night  of  June  29-30,  these  four  companies 
were  given  a  rehearsal  with  the  tanks  on  June  30  and  July  1. 
On  July  2  they  were  taken  into  the  front  trenches  and,  after 
a  reconnaissance,  moved  to  their  proper  sectors;  Companies 
C  and  E,  131st  Infantry,  were  assigned  to  the  42nd  and  43rd 
Battalions  (11th  Australian  Brigade)  and  Companies  A  and 
G,  132nd  Infantry,  to  the  13th  and  15th  Battahons  (4th 
Australian  Brigade).  One  platoon  was  distributed  to  each  of 
the  four  companies  of  these  battalions^*'  and,  following  the 
procedure  adopted  by  the  Australians,  about  forty  men  were 
taken  out  of  each  company,  in  order  to  form  a  nucleus  for  a 
new  organization  in  case  the  remainder  of  the  company  were 
wiped  out.  On  June  30,  six  companies  of  the  131st  Infantry, 
constituting  the  rest  of  the  1st  and  2nd  Battalions  of  that 
regiment  were  sent  under  their  majors  to  the  4th  and  11th 
Australian  Brigades  respectively,  but  were  suddenly  with- 
drawn on  the  evening  of  July  2  as  a  result  of  a  request  from 
General  Read  to  General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson.  On  the 
afternoon  of  July  3,  the  latter  received  instructions  from  the 
British  Commander-in-Chief  to  withdraw  all  American  troops 
from  this  attack  but,  inasmuch  as  the  four  companies  of  the 
131st  and  132nd  Infantry  were  already  in  position,  he  replied 
that  it  was  impossible  to  withdraw  them  without  abandoning 
the  entire  operation. ^"^ 

The  operation  proposed  had  for  its  object  the  capture  of 
the  ground  a  few  miles  east  of  Amiens  and  about  a  mile  south 
of  the  Somme,  on  which  were  situated  the  town  of  Hamel, 
the  Bois  de  Hamel,  and  the  Bois  de  Vaire  south  of  it,  a 
formidable  position,  which  commanded  the  Australian 
trenches  in  this  sector.  The  enemy's  system,  some  seven  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  British  lines  near  the  Somme,  ran  south- 
west through  the  Notamel  Wood  and  the  high  ground  to  a 
salient  known  as  the  "Pear  Trench,"  about  two  hundred  and 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  39 

fifty  yards  from  the  British  Hnes,  and  thence  along  the  west- 
ern edge  of  the  Vaire  Wood.  In  the  rear  of  this  system  the 
enemy  was  known  to  have  strong  garrisons  in  deep  dugouts  at 
Hamel.^^ 

July  4  was  the  date  selected  for  the  attack  which  was 
to  be  made  by  the  4th  Australian  Division  and  by  the  Ameri- 
cans. The  general  plan  was  for  the  4th  Australian  Brigade 
to  capture  the  Vaire  and  Hamel  Woods  and  to  consolidate 
on  the  spur  east  of  them,  while  the  6th  Brigade  on  the  right 
and  the  11th  Brigade^"  on  the  left  were  to  carry  and  to  con- 
solidate the  positions  on  either  flank  as  far  as  the  objective 
designated.''"  Beginning  on  the  north  the  42nd  Battalion  was 
formed  on  the  left  and  the  43rd  on  the  right,  followed  by  the 
44th,  while  the  41st  constituted  the  reserve  of  the  11th  Aus- 
tralian Brigade,  its  sphere  of  action  being  bounded  on  the 
right  by  a  line  south  of  Hamel.  On  its  right  was  the  4th 
Australian  Brigade,  with  the  15th,  16th,  and  13th  Battalions 
in  the  front  line  and  the  14th  in  reserve.  The  mission  of  the 
15th  Battalion  was  to  attack  north  of  the  Hamel  and  Vaire 
Woods,  which  were  to  be  dealt  with  by  the  16th,  while  the 
13th  attacked  south  of  the  Vaire  Wood.  Its  right  was 
covered  by  the  6th  Australian  Brigade.  The  attack  was  to  be 
made  in  three  waves,  supported  by  a  large  number  of  tanks 
and  protected  by  a  lifting  barrage.  This  was  to  be  reenforced 
by  trench  mortars  and  machine  guns,  while  161  guns  of  the 
Australian  Corps  devoted  themselves  to  counterbattery  work, 
and  the  Ilird  Corps  on  the  north  and  the  French  Corps  on  the 
south  cooperated  with  their  heavy  artillery. ^^ 

At  3:10  A.M.  on  July  4,  the  harassing  fire,  which  had 
been  In  operation  for  eight  minutes,  changed  to  a  barrage  and 
lifted  for  one  hundred  yards  with  the  launching  of  the 
attack.  On  the  extreme  left  the  42nd  Battalion  met  with 
slight   resistance   until   it   reached   the   first   objective,    about 


40  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

one  thousand  yards  from  the  jumping-off  line.  South  of  it  the 
43rd  BattaHon,  although  subjected  to  some  machine-gun  fire, 
successfully  attained  the  western  edge  of  Hamel,  where  con- 
siderable opposition  v/as  encountered  from  the  enemy  in  dug- 
outs, but  these  were  quickly  mopped  up.  On  its  right  the  6th 
Brigade  found  the  German  wire  only  partially  destroyed, 
encountered  stiffer  resistance  and  heavier  machine-gun  fire, 
and  suffered  a  number  of  casualties  from  defective  barrage. *- 
The  enemy  in  the  Pear  Trench  fought  with  grim  resolution 
against  the  15th  Battalion  and  south  of  it  the  Vaire  Trench 
temporarily  arrested  the  advance  of  the  16th  Battalion,  both 
being  additionally  subjected  to  a  heavy  enfilade  fire  of 
machine  guns.  Spirited  rushes,  coupled  with  vigorous  use  of 
the  bayonet  and  bombs,  resulted  in  the  capture  of  these  two 
positions  and  in  the  surrender  of  a  large  number  of  Germans. 
The  troops  then  pushed  on  to  the  first  objective,  where  the 
entire  attacking  force  made  a  halt  of  ten  minutes  under  cover 
of  a  heavy  smoke  screen,  the  lines  reformed,  the  tanks  over- 
took the  infantry  and,  in  the  sector  of  the  11th  Brigade,  the 
44th  Battalion  leapfrogged  into  position  ahead  of  the  43rd. 

At  4:10  A.  M.  the  advance  was  resumed  but  no  deter- 
mined resistance  was  offered  by  the  enemy,  although  some 
casualties  were  suffered  until  the  machine  guns  at  Hamel  and 
in  the  Hamel  Wood  were  put  out  of  action.  At  5  A.  m.  the 
final  objective  was  reached  and  at  this  point  the  enemy,  in 
large  numbers  and  from  strong  positions,  made  a  determined 
stand.  Assisted  by  the  tanks,  assaults  were  promptly  launched 
against  him,  the  strong  points  crushed,  and  his  trenches 
thoroughly  mopped  up.  The  infantry  then  began  to  dig  in, 
completing  this  operation  about  7  A.M.  but  not  without  loss, 
inasmuch  as  the  cessation  of  the  Australian  barrage  in  the 
rear  of  his  trenches  at  5  :30  A.  M.  was  the  signal  for  the 
resumption  of  activity  on  the  part  of  snipers,  machine-  guns. 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  41 

and  artillery,  which  maintained  a  lively  fire  throughout  the 
day.  The  morning  was  devoted  to  consolidating  the  positions 
gained  and  during  the  afternoon  some  of  the  enemy's  posts 
were  rushed.  At  dusk  the  Germans  retaliated  by  attacking 
the  44th  Battalion,  but  a  counterattack,  in  which  Company  G, 
132nd  Infantry,  participated,  repulsed  him  with  a  loss  of 
about  fifty  prisoners. ^^ 

The  aeroplanes  on  both  sides  were  extremely  active  dur- 
ing the  main  engagement,  dropping  bombs  and  using  machine 
guns  against  the  positions  of  their  adversaries.  The  Austra- 
lian aeroplanes  also  brought  up  ammunition  and  wire,  drop- 
ping them  by  means  of  parachutes.  Upon  the  cessation  of  the 
protective  barrage  at  5  :30  A.  M.,  the  Australian  aeroplanes 
flew  over  in  large  formations  and  retained  command  of  the 
air  until  noon,  when  thirty-five  enemy  planes  appeared  to  dis- 
pute their  supremacy.  Two  of  the  Australian  aircraft  were 
downed  and  that  night  the  Germans  bombed  the  Allied  posi- 
tions unmercifully.^^ 

In  the  action  at  Hamel,^^  three  Australian  brigades  and 
one  thousand  American  troops  were  employed.  Every  objec- 
tive was  attained  and  the  capture  of  these  strong  German 
positions  rid  the  Australian  lines  of  the  menace  and  annoy- 
ance to  which  they  had  long  been  subjected.  Forty-one  Ger- 
man officers  and  1,431  men  were  made  prisoners,  and  materiel 
was  captured  amounting  to  171  machine  guns,  26  trench 
mortars,  and  two  77-mIllImeter  pieces.  The  Australian 
casualties  were  less  than  eight  hundred, ^*^  while  the  American 
losses  were  confined  to  24  enlisted  men  killed,  8  officers  and 
123  men  wounded,  and  21  men  missing.^''^ 

The  action  at  Hamel,  while  of  minor  importance  from  a 
military  standpoint,  exercised  an  incalculable  influence. ^^ 
Amiens  was  generally  considered  at  that  time  to  be  the 
danger  spot  on  the  entire  western  front.     All  signs  Indicated 


42  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

that  the  great  German  drive,  which  was  expected  at  almost 
any  moment,  would  be  aimed  at  England  by  way  of  Amiens 
and  the  valley  of  the  Somme  to  the  Channel.  It  has  since 
been  discovered  that  such  was  the  German  plan  at  that  time. 
The  action  at  Hamel  took  place  on  the  Fourth  of  July,  a  date 
particularly  full  of  significance  to  Americans.  It  was  the  first 
time  that  Amercan  troops  had  cooperated  with  troops  of  the 
British  Empire  in  a  battle  of  any  magnitude,  and  it  demon- 
strated to  the  British  and  French  that  in  all  the  American 
troops — National  Guard  and  National  Army  as  well  as  Regu- 
lars— they  possessed  allies  upon  whom  they  could  depend  in 
any  military  operation,  no  matter  how  difficult.^^ 

That  very  day  the  Division  Commander  received  from 
General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson  the  following  telegram : 

July  4,  1918. 

33rd  American  Division. 

I  have  much  pleasure  in  forwarding  the  following  mes- 
sage just  received  from  the  Commander-in-Chief,  Begins: 
"Will  you  please  to  convey  to  Lt.  Gen.  Sir  J.  Monash  and  all 
ranks  under  his  command  including  the  tanks  and  the  detach- 
ment of  the  33rd  American  Division  my  warm  congratula- 
tions on  the  success  which  attended  the  operation  carried  out 
this  morning  and  on  the  skill  and  gallantry  with  which  it  was 
conducted. 

Douglas  Haig." 
From  General  Rawlinson. 

On  the  following  day  the  Commander  of  the  Fourth 
British  Army  telegraphed: 

General  Bell,  33rd  Illinois  Division. 
July  5,  1918. 

Am  anxious  to  express  to  you,  General  Bell,  and  to  all 
ranks  of  the  33rd  (Illinois)  Division,  my  warm  thanks  for  the 
gallant  part  taken  by  portions  of  your  division  in  the  attack  at 
Hamel  and  Vaire  Wood  on  Independence  Day.  I  hear 
nothing  but  praise  of  the  manner  in  which  your  units  fought 
the  enemy  and  my  only  regret  is  that  I  was  not  permitted  to 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  43 

employ  a  larger  portion  of  your  fine  division.     Perhaps  later 
on  there  may  be  another  opportunity. 

General  Rawlinson. 

That  same  day  came  the  following  letter : 

Australian  Corps. 

Corps  Headquarters, 
5th  July,   1918. 
My  Dear  General, 

I  desire  to  take  the  opportunity  of  tendering  to  you,  as 
their  immediate  Commander,  my  earnest  thanks  for  the 
assistance  and  services  of  the  four  Companies  of  Infantry  who 
participated  in  yesterday's  brilliant  operations. 

The  dash,  gallantry  and  efficiency  of  these  American 
Troops  left  nothing  to  be  desired,  and  my  Australian  Soldiers 
speak  in  the  very  highest  terms  in  praise  of  them.  That  Sol- 
diers of  the  United  States  and  of  Australia  should  have 
been  associated  for  the  first  time  in  such  close  co-operation  on 
the  battlefield,  is  an  historic  [event]  of  such  significance  that 
it  will  live  forever  in  the  annals  of  our  respective  Nations. 
Yours  very  sincerely, 

John  Monash, 
Lieut.-General, 
Commanding  Australian  Corps. 

Major-General  Bell, 

Commdg.  33rd  American  Division.^^ 

On  July  5,  1918,  the  129th  Infantry  was  reviewed  by  the 
Premier  of  Great  Britain,  the  Right  Honorable  David  Lloyd- 
George,^^  and  on  the  following  day  the  companies  of  the 
131st  and  132nd  Infantry  were  relieved  in  the  trenches  and 
sent  back  to  their  respective  organizations.'*-  The  next  four 
weeks  were  comparatively  devoid  of  notable  events  except 
for  the  inspection  made  on  July  22  and  23  by  the  Ilnd  Ameri- 
can Corps  for  the  purpose  of  determining  whether  the  33rd 
Division  was  fit  for  active  service.*^  Nevertheless,  during  the 
entire  period  from  July  13  to  August  9  there  was  no  cessation 
in  the  intensive  training  given  to  officers  and  men  alike,  and 
there  were  constant  inspections  and  frequent  shiftlngs  of  the 


44  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

various  units  with  the  object  of  insuring  to  each  one  the 
maximum  amount  of  instruction  of  every  sort  possible  under 
the  circumstances."^^  Every  organization  was  given  at  least 
one  tour  of  duty  in  the  front  lines;  reliefs  were  effected;  com- 
plete systems  of  defense  were  constructed;  constant  target 
practice  was  made  obligatory;  schools  of  every  kind  were 
instituted  or  attended;  and  no  stone  was  left  unturned  to 
learn  everything  in  military  matters  which  could  be  taught  by 
the  British  instructors.^^ 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  German  drive  to 
the  English  Channel^^  which  was  expected  at  any  moment 
to  take  place  through  Amiens  and  the  valley  of  the  Somme. 
The  Germans  instead  of  striking  at  Amiens  drove  for  Paris. 
The  Allies,  after  stopping  them,  counterattacked  and  about 
the  middle  of  August  the  counterattack  gradually  spread  north 
toward  the  British  positions,  with  the  result  that  August  9, 
1918,  proved  another  memorable  day  in  the  history  of  the 
33rd  Division. 

About  fifteen  miles  east  and  slightly  north  of  Amiens, 
the  Somme,  always  tortuous  in  this  region,  makes  a  succession 
of  sharp  bends.  North  of  the  river  and  in  one  of  these 
U-shaped  bends  lies  the  village  of  Chipilly  on  a  ridge  bearing 
the  same  name.  Northwest  of  this  village  and  resembling  an 
irregular  letter  "G"  is  the  Malard  Wood,  the  base  of  which 
touches  the  edge  of  the  Somme  and  terminates  north  of 
Chipilly.  Directly  north  of  Chipilly  Ridge  is  Gressaire 
Wood,  roughly  forming  a  right  angle  and  terminating  at  the 
road  from  Corbie  to  Bray,  its  axis  lying  in  a  northeastwardly 
direction.  Chipilly  Ridge  and  Gressaire  Wood,  both  of 
which  had  been  strongly  fortified,  formed  a  position  which 
completely  dominated  the  British  trenches  in  that  sector  and 
rendered  impossible  the  passage  of  the  Somme  or  any  advance 
in  that  vicinity  so  long  as  they  were  held  by  the  enemy..   The 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  45 

position  had  been  taken,  but  all  attempts  to  hold  it  had  proved 
abortive.  After  the  attack  at  Hamel  on  July  4,  the  British 
line  south  of  the  Somme  had  been  advanced  to  a  point 
directly  opposite  Chipilly,  but  the  continuous  enfilade  fire 
from  that  ridge  had  made  the  line  well-nigh  untenable  and  its 
withdrawal  was  consequently  under  consideration.  The  Brit- 
ish commanders  determined,  however,  to  take  the  bull  by  the 
horns  and  to  make  a  final  effort  to  secure  Chipilly  Ridge  and 
Gressaire  Wood,  which  constituted  the  key  to  the  entire 
sector. 

Orders  were  therefore  issued  on  August  8,  1918,  placing 
the  131st  Infantry  (Colonel  Joseph  B.  Sanborn)  under  the 
58th  British  Division  (Major  General  Frank  Ramsay)  in  the 
reserve  of  the  Ilird  British  Corps  and  directing  its  movement 
to  Heilly,  where  the  Headquarters  of  the  18th  British  Division 
were  located,  and  Franvillers.  These  positions  were  reached 
that  same  evening,  but  at  ten  o'clock  instructions  were 
received  by  the  regimental  commander  to  move  at  once  to  an 
assembly  point  on  the  Bray-Corbie  road  about  three  thousand 
yards  south  of  Heilly,  facing  east  across  that  road  and 
immediately  west  of  the  Cobar  Trench,  in  readiness  to  attack 
next  morning  at  one  o'clock.  Since  the  troops  had  been 
marching  the  greater  part  of  the  night  and  were  without  sup- 
ports, and  as  the  terrain  had  never  been  reconnoitred  and  no 
provisions  had  been  made  for  supplies,  the  general  command- 
ing the  58th  British  Division  decided  to  postpone  the  attack 
in  that  direction.  The  131st  Infantry  was  sent  forward 
through  Vaux-sur-Somme  to  a  position  in  readiness  in  the 
valleys  between  that  town  and  Sailly-le-Sec.  At  the  same  time 
orders  were  dispatched  to  the  regimental  machine  gun  com- 
pany at  Franvillers  to  move  to  Vaux  and  there  to  await 
orders. 

On  the  morning  of  August  9,  1918,  the  troops  arrived  in 


46  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  valley  of  the  Somme  in  a  decidedly  exhausted  condition, 
the  3rd  Battalion  having  covered  fully  twenty  miles.  More- 
over, they  were  without  water  and  rations,  since  some  of  the 
transport  had  been  unable  to  accompany  them  and,  as  a  matter 
of  fact,  did  not  overtake  them  until  later  in  the  day. 

The  British  plan  contemplated  an  assault  at  5  P.M. 
starting  from  a  jumping-off  line  extending  from  a  point  nine 
hundred  yards  northwest  of  the  intersection  of  the  Bray- 
Corbie  and  Morlancourt-Chipilly  roads  southeast  to  the  point 
where  the  road  running  northeast  from  Chipilly  terminates  at 
the  edge  of  the  ridge.  The  assault  was  to  be  made  by  the 
10th  London  Battalion  (175th  British  Brigade)  on  the  right, 
the  131st  Infantry  in  the  centre  and  the  17Sth  Brigade — less 
the  10th  London  Battalion  but  with  one  battalion  of  the  174th 
Brigade  attached — ^'^on  the  left.  At  1  :30  p.m.  Colonel  San- 
born was  informed  of  this  plan  and  was  ordered  to  recon- 
noitre in  the  direction  of  the  Gressaire  Wood,  but  the 
lieutenant  colonel  and  the  battalion  commanders  who  were 
sent  forward  accompanied  by  scouts  soon  returned  with  the 
report  that  such  a  reconnaissance  could  not  be  effected,  inas- 
much as  the  enemy  was  in  occupation  of  the  Malard  Wood 
and  the  region  beyond  it.  The  131st  Infantry  was  in  march 
formation  on  the  road  west  of  Sailly-le-Sec  when,  at  3  :30  p.m., 
the  Commanding  General  of  the  58th  Division  came  in 
person  to  deliver  the  order  of  attack  to  the  regimental  com- 
mander. When  it  was  realized,  however,  that  the  troops  could 
not  possibly  reach  the  jumping-off  line  at  five  o'clock,  the  zero 
hour  was  postponed  to  5  :30  p.  m.  As  not  a  moment  was  to 
be  lost,  the  regimental  commander,  in  spite  of  having  had  no 
rest  whatsoever  for  twenty-four  hours  and  notwithstanding 
his  sixty-two  years,  immediately  started  at  a  run  for  the  head 
of  his  column,  set  it  in  motion,  and  preceded  it  to  the  jumping- 
ofli  line.     Under  full  packs  and  a  hot  sun  the  troops  covered 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  47 

approximately  four  miles  at  a  rapid  gait  and,  upon  reaching 
the  position  designated,  were  formed  with  the  1st  Battalion 
on  the  right,  the  2nd  on  the  left,  and  the  3rd  in  reserve  on  the 
Sailly-Laurette-Chipilly  road  at  the  entrance  to  the  ravine 
between  Les  Celestins  and  the  Malard  Wood. 

The  attack  of  the  131st  Infantry,  which  was  covered  by 
a  line  of  skirmishers,  was  led  by  Colonel  Sanborn  in  person 
through  the  heaviest  sort  of  enemy  barrage,  but  it  was  not 
until  it  had  been  thoroughly  launched  and  after  he  had  been 
knocked  down  by  the  concussion  of  a  shell  that  he  returned  to 
the  rear,  collected  runners  from  the  reserve  battalion,  and 
established  his  P.  C.  in  a  shell  hole  in  the  ravine  mentioned 
above.  The  onslaught  of  the  Americans  was  irresistible.  The 
Germans  were  thrown  into  a  panic  and  their  retreat  was  so 
precipitate  that  their  battalion  commander  abandoned  in  his 
dugout  orders,  maps,  telephone  switchboard — everything. 
Even  the  machine-gun  nests  were  powerless  to  arrest  the 
advance  and,  at  8  p.m.,  the  2nd  Battalion  reported  that  it  had 
reached  its  objective.  Its  left  flank  remained  uncovered  for 
the  reason  that  the  175th  British  Brigade  had  been  unable  to 
keep  pace  with  it  and  did  not  get  up  until  the  following  day. 

On  the  right,  however,  greater  resistance  was  encoun- 
tered, and  the  1st  Battalion  and  the  10th  London  Battalion 
were  held  up  by  heavy  machine-gun  fire  from  the  woods  north- 
west of  Chipilly  Ridge.  The  commander  of  the  latter  unit 
reported  this  fact  and  asked  for  assistance,  whereupon  a  com- 
pany from  the  3rd  Battalion  was  sent  forward  and  the  enemy 
was  driven  out  of  the  woods. 

The  presence  of  the  enemy  and  a  number  of  machine  guns 
at  Chipilly  and  on  that  ridge  rendered  further  advance  of  that 
part  of  the  line  out  of  the  question,  but,  after  dark,  a  British 
detachment  mopped  up  the  town,  capturing  the  German  com- 
mander and  his  machine  guns  along  the  ridge,  as  well  as  some 


48  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

three  hundred  prisoners.  At  9  :20  P.  M-  the  commander  of 
the  1st  BattaHon  reported  that  his  hne  extended  from  near  the 
southwestern  corner  of  Gressaire  Wood  east  to  the  northern 
end  of  Chipilly  Ridge  and  thence  south  along  the  Somme  to 
the  road  leading  to  Chipilly,  and  that  the  troops  had  dug  in. 
The  2nd  Battalion  was  therefore  left  that  night  with  both 
flanks  unprotected  but  by  6  A.  M.  on  August  10  it  was  joined 
by  the  1st  Battalion  plus  one  company,  and  both  units  took 
position  on  the  objective.  This  fact  was  reported  to  the  com- 
manding general,  58th  Brigade,  and  the  remainder  of  the  3rd 
Battalion  was  sent  forward  to  reenforce  the  Hne,  which  later 
in  the  day  assumed  position  along  the  Corbie-Bray  road  from 
the  intersection  of  the  Morlancourt-Etinehem  road  on  the 
west  to  the  "Double  Telegraph  Post"  on  the  east.  In  spite  of 
heavy  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire  and  much  gas  the  posi- 
tion was  held  and  consolidated,  and  at  9  P.  M.  the  13th 
Australian  Brigade  and  one  machine  gun  company  passed 
through  the  American  lines  and  took  up  positions  opposite 
Bray-sur-Somme  and  the  bend  of  the  river.  During  the  night 
the  131st  Infantry  changed  front  and  occupied  a  line  extend- 
ing from  the  crossroads  at  the  eastern  edge  of  the  woods 
north  of  the  Bray-Corbie  road  south  to  the  Somme  and  thence 
along  the  right  bank  to  a  point  south  of  the  Chipilly  Ridge  in 
touch  with  the  troops  on  the  left  bank. 

This  position  was  held  until  August  14,  the  enemy  being 
driven  out  of  fitinehem  and  the  pocket  south  of  that  village 
on  the  nieht  of  A'agust  11-12.  On  August  14  orders  were 
received  to  occupy  a  new  line  west  of  Bray-sur-Somme,  and 
the  movement  was  completed  on  the  next  day  at  6  A.M.  The 
1st  Battalion  was  placed  in  the  front  line,  the  3rd  in  support, 
and  the  2nd  in  reserve.  The  attack  on  August  9  was  made 
without  any  preparation,  being  extemporized  under  dire 
emergency.    The  heights,  of  which  Chipilly  Ridge  and  Gres- 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  49 

saire  Wood  formed  part,  completely  dominated  the  low 
ground  south  of  the  Somme  where  the  most  advanced  British 
lines  were  situated,  while  their  left  flank  suffered  under  a  con- 
tinuous enfilade  fire  which  was  rapidly  making  them  untenable. 
Possession  of  those  heights  had  therefore  become  a  necessity; 
hence  the  haste  displayed.  The  operation  of  the  131st  Infan- 
try was  crowned  with  success;  the  enemy  was  dislodged  from 
these  heights  and  driven  out  of  Gressaire  Wood  with  a  loss 
of  some  seven  hundred  prisoners,  seven  5.9  howitzers,  thir- 
teen 4.2  guns,  two  10-inch  guns,  two  75-millimeter  French 
pieces,  six  guns  of  various  other  calibres,  two  minenwerfers, 
about  one  hundred  machine  guns,  more  than  fifty-nine  rifles,  an 
aeroplane  in  perfect  condition,  and  a  large  amount  of  other 
materiel.  Not  only  was  the  British  objective  attained,  but  a 
portion  of  the  Corbie-Bray  road  beyond  was  seized.  These 
results  were  achieved  with  a  loss  of  only  385  American 
officers  and  men,  but  the  next  six  days — August  11-16,  inclu- 
sive— during  which  the  131st  Infantry  was  subjected  to  inces- 
sant fire  and  gas,  were  attended  by  casualties  to  the  number 
of  370.''« 

The  action  at  Gressaire  Wood^^  is  particularly  notable 
in  that  it  initiated  the  penetration  of  the  German  line  which 
developed  into  the  final  British  advance.  The  British  com- 
manders, with  characteristic  promptness,  expressed  their 
appreciation  of  the  brilliant  achievement.  On  August  10 
Lieutenant  General  Sir  H.  K.  Butler,  commanding  the  Ilird 
British  Corps  sent  the  Division  Commander  the  following 
telegram : 

Hearty  congratulations  on  successful  attack  carried  oui 
by  131st  Infantry  Regiment  yesterday.  Added  33rd  Division 
66th  American  Brigade,   131st  Infantry  Regiment. 

On  the  same  day  the  British  Division  Commander  sent 
this  letter : 

(4) 


50  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Headquarters 
58th  Division 

x.viii.xviii. 
Dear  General  Bell: 

I  wish  to  express  to  you  my  appreciation  of  the  great 
assistance  afforded  to  my  Division  by  your  131  Regiment  in 
the  attack  on  Gressaire  Wood  yesterday  afternoon,  and  my 
admiration  for  the  way  it  carried  out  a  verydifficultmanoeuvre 
to  get  into  the  Battle  Line  and  for  the  stout  way  in  which  it 
overcame  all  resistance. 

I  enclose  a  letter  of  thanks  which  I  would  be  glad  if  you 
would  forward  to  the  officer  commanding  the  regiment. 

Yours  sincerely, 

Frank  Ramsay. 

The  letter  in  question  read  as  follows ; 

Headquarters 
58th  Division 

x.vii.xviii. 
Dear  Colonel  Sanborn  : 

I  have  to  thank  you  for  the  very  great  assistance  which 
your  regiment  afforded  in  its  attack  on  Gressaire  Wood  yes- 
terday afternoon. 

You  had  a  very  difficult  task  to  perform  and  the  way  in 
which  your  battalions  manoeuvred  and  took  the  objectives 
allotted  to  them  reflects  the  greatest  credit  on  all  ranks. 

I  have  to  thank  you  personally  on  the  way  in  which  you 
led  your  Regiment  on  to  its  battle  allignment,  and  which  very 
materially  assisted  in  the  success  of  the  operation. 

Yours  sincerely, 

Frank  Ramsay.^** 

During  the  period  from  August  8  to  23,  1918,  the  33rd 
Division,  frequently  bombed  and  shelled  by  the  enemy, ^^  con- 
tinued its  very  intensive  training  under  the  Program  of  Train- 
ing prescribed  by  the  General  Headquarters  of  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces. ^^  The  training  circulars  Issued  in  con- 
formity therewith,^^  were  decidedly  thorough,  and  no  effort  was 
spared  to  bring  the  troops  up  to  the  highest  possible  standard 
of  discipline  and  efficiency.    Much  attention  was  paid  to  target 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  51 

practice,  every  unit  was  given  a  considerable  period  in  the 
trenches,  and  a  large  number  of  officers  and  men  were  sent 
away  to  school. ^^  Great  stress  was  also  laid  upon  the  im- 
portance of  taking  the  utmost  care  of  all  property  and  the 
admirable  British  system  of  feeding  and  grooming  horses  was 
put  into  operation.  On  August  15  the  132nd  Infantry 
relieved  the  12th  Australian  Brigade  in  the  reserve  trenches, 
and  on  the  following  day  both  the  65th  and  66th  Brigades 
had  units  occupying  the  front  line  positions,  the  latter  reliev- 
ing the  front  line  and  assembling  in  the  Camon  and  Hamel 
areas  on  August  19.^^ 

This  period  was  particularly  notable  for  an  event  unique 
In  the  history  of  an  American  division.  On  August  12,  about 
eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  George  V,  king  of  England, 
arrived  at  the  Headquarters  of  the  33rd  Division,  at  the 
Chateau  of  Molliens-au-Bois,  where  he  was  received  with  full 
honors.  Awaiting  him  were  General  Pershing,  the  com- 
mander-in-chief of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces,  and 
General  Tasker  H.  Bliss,  who  had  arrived  the  day  before.  On 
the  former  the  King  bestowed  the  Grand  Cross  of  the  Order 
of  the  Bath,  and  the  latter  he  made  a  Commander  of  the 
Order  of  St.  Michael  and  St.  George.  The  King,  accompanied 
by  a  group  of  officers,  among  whom  were  General  Sir  Henry 
Rawllnson,  commanding  the  Fourth  British  Army,  then  pro- 
ceeded to  the  spot  near  the  chateau,  where  some  three  hun- 
dred men  selected  from  every  unit  in  the  33rd  Division  were 
drawn  up  in  a  hollow  square,  and  decorated  twelve  officers 
and  enlisted  men  for  the  gallantry  which  they  had  displayed 
in  the  action  at  Hamel  on  July  4.  To  some  were  given  the 
Military  Cross,  to  others  the  Distinguished  Conduct  Medal 
or  the  Military  Medal,  the  King  personally  pinning  the  deco- 
ration on  the  breast  of  each  recipient  and  congratulating  him 
upon  his  bravery.    Seven  others  had  been  singled  out  for  the 


52  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

same  honor  but  their  wounds  precluded  their  leaving  the  hos- 
pital. At  1 1  :30  A.  M.  the  ceremony  terminated  and  the  King 
took  his  departure. ^^ 

On  August  21,^'^  orders  were  issued  fdr  the  transfer  of 
the  33rd  Division  by  rail  to  the  First  American  Army  in  the 
Toul  sector, ^^  and  preparations  were  begun  accordingly,  all 
British  rifles,  bayonets,  Vickers,  Maxim  and  Lewis  guns  being 
turned  in  and  Springfield  rifles  being  issued  to  the  men.^^  The 
experience  and  training  received  under  the  British  proved  to 
be  of  incalculable  value,  as  was  realized  at  the  time  and  to  a 
still  greater  degree  later.  The  severance  of  the  cordial  rela- 
tions which  had  characterized  the  stay  of  the  33rd  Division 
was  genuinely  regretted  on  both  sides  and  found  expression 
in  the  following  letters  from  General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson, 
commanding  the  Fourth  British  Army,  and  General  Godley: 

Hq.  Fourth  Army, 

21st  August,  1918. 

33rd  Illinois  Division.  Fourth  Army  No.  G.  S.  2/13. 

On  the  departure  of  the  33rd  Division  from  the  Fourth 
Army,  I  desire  officially  to  record  my  admiration  of  the 
energy,  keenness  and  soldierly  qualities  exhibited  by  all  ranks 
during  their  period  of  training  under  my  orders.  The  marked 
advance  which  has  been  made  and  the  satisfactory  standard 
of  fighting  efficiency  that  has  been  reached  reflects  high  credit 
on  all  concerned,  and  guarantee  that  the  Division  will  render 
brilliant  service  to  the  Allied  cause  wherever  it  may  be  em- 
ployed as  a  fighting  Division  in  face  of  the  enemy. 

My  regret  is  that  it  will  not  have  further  opportunity 
for  offensive  action  whilst  in  the  Fourth  British  Army,  but 
portions  of  the  Division  have  already  acquitted  themselves 
most  gallantly,  and  I  desire  to  tender  my  warm  thanks  to  those 
units  engaged  for  their  brilliant  successes  in  the  Hamel  offen- 
sive and  at  Gressaire  Wood. 

I  greatly  regret  the  departure  of  the  Division  and  offer 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  53 

to  General  Bell  and  all  ranks  under  his  command  the  best  of 
good  fortune  in  the  strenuous  times  which  lie  before  them. 

H.  Rawlinson. 

General  Godley's  letter  to  General  Bell  was  equally  com- 
plimentary.   It  read  thus: 

III  Corps  C.  O.  1565 
20th  August,  1918. 
Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr., 
Commanding  33rd  American  Division. 

On  the  departure  of  your  Division  from  this  Corps,  I 
write  to  ask  you  to  convey  to  all  ranks  under  your  command 
our  thanks  and  appreciation  of  the  excellent  work  that  the 
Division  has  done  during  its  period  of  attachment  to  the  III 
Corps. 

The  131st  Regiment  of  the  66th  Brigade,  carried  out 
the  attack  on  the  9th  August  in  a  manner  which  reflected 
great  credit,  not  only  on  its  gallantry,  but  on  its  previous 
training;  and  the  work  done  by  the  whole  of  your  Division 
during  its  periods  of  attachment  and  of  holding  the  line  has 
been  of  high  order. *^*^ 

All  ranks  of  the  III  British  Corps  wish  the  33rd  Division 
the  best  of  luck  in  the  future,  and  in  v/atching  its  future  vic- 
torious career  will  always  remember  with  great  pleasure  the 
time  which  they  have  spent  together  with  their  American  com- 
rades in  arms. 

Alex  Godley, 
Lieutenant  General, 
Commanding  III  Corps.^^ 

The  next  to  the  last  day  of  the  stay  In  the  British  area, 
August  22,  was  notable  for  the  visit  of  the  Honorable  Frank- 
lin D.  Roosevelt,  the  assistant  secretary  of  the  navy,  who 
arrived  at  the  Headquarters  of  the  33rd  Division  at  one 
o'clock  that  afternoon,  accompanied  by  his  Staff,  and  lunched 
with  the  Division  Commander,  his  personal  Staff  and  the 
brigade  commanders  at  the  Chateau  of  Molliens-au-BoIs. 
General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson,  Lieutenant  General  Sir  John 
Monash,  and  Lieutenant  General  Godley  were  expected  but 
were  prevented  from  coming  by  the  renewed  violence  with 


54  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

which  the  battle  had  broken  out  that  morning.  After  lunch 
Mr.  Roosevelt  proceeded  to  the  Molliens  Wood,  where  the 
65th  Infantry  Brigade  was  drawn  up  in  mass  formation.  In 
a  stirring  speech  he  thanked  the  troops  of  the  33rd  Division, 
on  behalf  of  the  government,  for  the  lustre  which  they  had 
shed  upon  American  arms,  told  them  that  on  all  sides  he  had 
heard  of  their  prowess,  and  that  he  had  been  given  the  story 
of  their  achievements  at  Hamel  by  the  King  of  England  him- 
self.62 

On  the  night  of  August  23-24,  1918,  the  troops  of  the 
33rd  Division*'^  began  entraining  at  Vignacourt,  St.  Roch, 
and  Longueau  for  their  journey  by  rail  from  the  British  area 
to  that  of  the  First  American  Army  in  the  Toul  sector.  On 
August  25  the  new  Division  Headquarters  were  opened  in  the 
chateau  at  Tronville-en-Barrois,  and  at  four  o'clock  next 
morning  the  last  of  the  units  detrained  and  occupied  billets  in 
the  vicinity.^**  That  same  day  instructions  were  issued  pre- 
scribing that  the  training  of  the  division  for  the  ten  days 
beginning  on  August  28  would  be  based  upon  the  "Memo- 
randum for  Corps  and  Division  Commanders,"  General 
Headquarters,  dated  August  5,  1918,  supplemented  by  Train- 
ing Circular  No.  159,  33rd  Division,  August  15,  and  by  cer- 
tain requirements  contained  in  Training  Circular  No.  161.'^^ 
The  German  scheme  of  defense  and  a  memorandum  on  the 
"Secrecy  of  Troop  Movements"  were  published  on  August 
29,^^  a  reconnaissance  was  made  on  the  next  day  with  a  view 
to  selecting  a  proper  terrain  for  a  division  manoeuvre,  and  on 
August  31  the  front  line  was  inspected  by  the  operations  sec- 
tion.^'^  That  night  certain  modifications  of  position  were 
effected,*'^  and  on  September  1  directions  were  published 
relative  to  "Combat  Instructions"  and  to  the  concealment  of 
troops  against  observation  by  hostile  aeroplanes. ^^  Next  day 
the  65th  Infantry  Brigade  performed  a  tactical  exercise  in 


WITH  THE  BRITISH  55 

advance  and  passage  of  lines,  and  the  108th  Supply  Train, 
which  had  been  detached  since  its  arrival  in  France  on  May 
30,  rejoined  the  division.'"  The  58th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade,  which  had  been  separated  from  the  division  since  its 
departure  from  Camp  Logan,  had  undergone  a  course  of 
instruction  at  Ornans,  and  had  been  attached  to  the  89th  and 
1st  Divisions  in  succession."^  During  the  operations  in 
Picardy  the  British  had  supplied  the  necessary  artillery  but,  as 
the  33rd  Division  was  about  to  undertake  active  operations 
as  a  whole,  the  5 2nd  Artillery  Brigade  under  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral George  Albert  Wingate  of  the  27th  Division  was  attached 
to  the  command;  and,  on  September  3,  its  first  regiment 
arrived  in  the  Tronville  area.  Next  day  the  33rd  Division 
engaged  in  a  terrain  exercise  under  the  supervision  of  the  Vth 
American  Corps. '^-  On  September  5,  orders  were  received 
from  the  First  American  Army  placing  the  33rd  Division  "at 
the  disposal  of  the  II  French  Army  for  tactical  control, 
administration  and  supply,"  directing  it  to  proceed  to  the 
"area  occupied  by  the  II  French  Army"  and  prescribing 
the  movement  of  one  brigade  of  infantry  on  the  night  of  Sep- 
tember  S-SJ^  Later  in  the  day  orders  were  received  from  the 
II  French  Army  placing  the  division  at  the  disposal  of  the 
17th  French  Corps  and  directing  Its  movement  to  the  Bler- 
court  area,  southwest  of  Verdun,  beginning  on  the  night  of 
September  5-6;'^^  and  the  necessary  instructions  were  issued  in 
consequence.'''^ 


III.     OCCUPATION  OF  THE  SECTOR  AT  VERDUN 

AND  BEGINNING  OF  THE  MEUSE- 

ARGONNE  BATTLE 

The  movement  from  the  area  of  the  First  American 
Army  to  the  Verdun  sector  began  on  the  night  of  September 
S-6.  The  foot  troops  traveled  by  bus  and  the  other  troops 
marched,  staging  at  the  Issoncourt  area.  The  operation, 
headed  by  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  terminated  on  Septem- 
ber 8.^  In  the  meantime  the  new  division  P.  C.  had  opened 
at  Blercourt  at  4  p.m.  on  September  7,  and  that  evening 
orders  were  received  from  the  17th  French  Army  Corps  for 
the  relief  of  the  right  regiment  of  the  1 57th  French  Division 
in  the  sector  of  Hill  304  and  of  the  units  of  the  120th  French 
Division  in  the  sector  comprising  the  Mort  Homme  and 
Cumieres.-  The  necessary  instructions  were  issued  at  once,^ 
and  the  relief  of  all  French  units  in  those  sectors  was  effected 
during  the  nights  of  September  7,  8,  and  9,"*  the  command 
passing  on  September  10  at  8  A.M.^  to  the  33rd  Division,  the 
headquarters  of  which  were  transferred  that  morning  from 
Blercourt  to  Fromereville.^  On  the  night  of  September  11-12 
the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  moved  into  the  Bois  des 
Sartelles,^  the  firing  batteries,  which  had  been  hurried  into 
position  beforehand,  and  all  the  machine  guns  of  the  division 
participating  at  1  A.M.  on  September  12  in  the  demonstra- 
tion fire  which  opened  along  part  of  the  Allied  front  as  a 
diversion  to  cover  the  American  attack  at  St.  Mihiel.^  Dur- 
ing the  nights  of  September  13—14^  and  15—16  the  79th 
American  Division  on  the  west  of  the  33rd  Division  relieved 

56 


COXSEXVOVE   CAUSEWAY 


^_^/         . 


-  A  '- 

.  '.^ 

T*»* 

*• 

-^             ■■■■*',,'    , 

•      "-•>** 

FORGES    CREEK 

BOTTOM 

»»ii^m 


THE  MEUSE-JRGONNE  57 

that  part  of  the  IS 7th  French  Division  which  had  not  been 
reheved  by  the  SSrd^*^  on  the  nights  of  September  7,  8,  and 
9.^^  Meanwhile,  on  September  14  the  33rd  and  79th  Divi- 
sions had  passed  from  the  17th  French  Corps  to  the  Ilird 
American  Corps  under  Major  General  Robert  L.  Bullard,^- 
an  inspection  had  been  made  of  the  sector  of  the  right  (66th) 
Brigade, ^^  and  orders  had  been  issued  for  the  opening  of  the 
33rd  Division  Infantry  School  on  September  19  at  the  Bois 
de  Nixeville  (Sud).^^  September  15,  16,  and  17  were  charac- 
terized by  modifications  in  the  position  of  certain  units, ^•"'  by 
an  inspection  of  the  sector  occupied  by  the  65th  Brigade,^'' 
and  by  the  measures  taken  to  guard  against  hostile  aerial 
observation  and  gas  attacks,  to  better  the  existing  liaison,  to 
familiarize  the  officers  and  men  with  the  "Combat  Instruc- 
tions, Confidential,  No.  1348,"  issued  by  General  Headquar- 
ters, and  to  Improve  the  handling  of  the  platoons. ^'^ 

The  French  plan  of  defense  of  the  Verdun  sector  re- 
quired eight  3-Inch  guns  to  be  placed  east  of  the  Meuse  In  the 
territory  occupied  by  the  18th  French  Division  under  General 
Andlauer;  but,  as  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  withdraw  them, 
the  necessary  arrangements  were  made  by  the  Ilird  Corps, 
and  these  two  batteries  of  the  105th  Field  Artillery  returned 
to  the  Bois  des  Sartelles  during  the  night  of  September 
16-17.^^  By  that  date  the  area  not  only  of  the  First  Army 
but  also  that  of  the  Ilird  Corps  had  become  crowded  with 
troops  which  were  being  brought  up  in  expectation  of  a  gen- 
eral attack,  and  the  Ilird  Corps  ordered  that  the  location  of 
the  33rd  Division  Infantry  School  at  the  Bois  de  Nixeville 
(Sud)  be  changed.  However,  after  a  thorough  reconnaissance 
of  the  division  area  disclosed  that  there  existed  no  other  place 
fit  for  this  school,  the  Ilird  Corps  consented,  on  September  18, 
that  it  should  remain  at  the  location  announced  on  September 
lA-.'^^  On  September  19  instructions  were  Issued  In  respect  to 


58  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  situation  reports  to  be  rendered  each  day  and  the  necessity 
for  concealment  against  enemy  aerial  observation  was  reiter- 
ated.^^ On  the  night  of  September  20-21  three  companies  of 
the  132nd  Infantry  in  the  front  trenches  were  replaced  by 
twelve. ^^  Since  the  plan  of  the  First  Army  for  the  general 
offensive  contemplated  the  introduction  of  the  4th  and  80th 
Divisions  between  the  33rd  and  the  79th,  orders  were  issued 
on  September  21  for  the  relief  of  two  battalions  of  the  33rd 
Division  by  one  from  the  4th  and  another  from  the  80th,  both 
of  which  were  to  pass  temporarily  under  the  command  of  the 
33rd  Division,  and  for  certain  rectifications  of  position  in 
consequence,  all  of  which  was  to  be  effected  during  the  night 
of  September  21-22.--  On  September  23  the  plan  of  liaison 
to  accompany  the  field  order  for  the  attack  was  issued,  fol- 
lowed next  day  by  the  field  order  itself  and  the  requisite 
annexes. ^^  The  necessary  liaison  agents  were  also  sent  to  the 
adjoining  divisions  and  brigades.-^  On  September  25  two 
addenda  to  the  field  order  and  one  addendum  to  the  plan  of 
liaison  were  issued;-^  and  that  afternoon  the  P.  C.s  of  the 
33rd  Division  and  of  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  were 
moved  from  Fromereville  to  "P.  C.  la  Hutte,"-*^  a  dugout  in 
the  Bois  Bourrus,  in  readiness  for  the  attack  next  morning.-"^ 
During  this  period  from  September  6  to  25,  inclusive,  a 
number  of  officers  and  enlisted  men  were  sent  away  to  various 
schools,-^  but  the  maximum  amount  of  instruction  was  given 
to  the  units^^  consistent  with  the  occupation  of  a  so-called 
"quiet  sector,"  which,  however,  became  more  animated  after 
the  demonstration  fire  on  the  early  morning  of  September 
12.^°  No  effort  was  spared  to  develop  among  the  officers  and 
men  the  highest  esprit  de  corps  and  that  spirit  of  relentless 
initiative  which  is  invaluable  in  battle.  Thorough  instruction 
in  the  use  of  every  available  weapon,  especially  the  bayonet, 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  59 

was  continued  unceasingly  and  the  utmost  stress  was  laid  upon 
the  absolute  necessity  for  every  precaution  against  hostile 
aerial  observation  and  gas  attacks.  The  highest  standard  of 
discipline  and  implicit  obedience  not  only  to  the  spirit  but  to 
the  very  letter  of  orders  was  exacted.  These  requirements, 
which  were  characteristic  of  the  training  at  Camp  Logan  and 
with  the  British,  were  maintained  undiminished  in  the  Verdun 
sector,^^  both  officers  and  men  responding  admirably. 

On  the  other  hand,  considerable  difficulty  was  experienced 
in  the  control  of  traffic.  During  the  week  preceding  the  attack 
on  September  26,  there  poured  through  the  bottle-neck  at 
Fromereville  an  endless  stream  of  artillery,  transportation, 
vehicles,  troops  of  every  sort,  and  officers  on  reconnaissance 
— all  intent  upon  getting  to  the  front  as  quickly  as  possible, 
regardless  of  traffic  regulations  and  the  insistence  of  higher 
authority  upon  the  concealment  of  troop  movements.^-  It 
was  only  by  the  most  drastic  measures  that  offenders  were  con- 
trolled within  the  area  of  the  33rd  Division  and  that  all 
movements  by  convoys  or  troops  were  restricted  to  the  hours 
of  darkness  between  8  :30  p.m.  and  6  a.m.  Luckily,  most  of 
the  week  in  question  was  marked  by  bad  weather — always 
cloudy  and  often  rainy — so  that  aerial  observation  was  diffi- 
cult, if  not  impossible.  Another  fortunate  factor  was  the 
comparative  supineness  of  the  enemy  artillery,  which  confined 
its  operations  largely  to  harassing  fire,  particularly  against  the 
roads  and  the  forward  areas  which  for  several  days  prior  to 
the  battle  were  packed  with  troops  and  materiel. 

The  French  counterstroke,  begun  in  the  Chateau-Thierry 
sector  on  July  18,  1918,  developed  during  the  next  two 
months  into  a  general  offensive  by  the  Allies  along  almost  the 
entire  western  front.  It  was  characterized  by  notable  suc- 
cesses, ground  was  gained  nearly  everywhere,  and  a  distinct 
weakening  of  the  German  morale  was  apparent.    At  Chateau- 


60  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Thierry  and  on  the  British  front  American  troops  partici- 
pated, under  the  orders  of  the  French  or  British,  in  the  active 
operations  which  wrested  from  the  enemy  many  of  his 
strongest  positions.  On  September  12  American  troops  began 
a  drive  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  St.  Mihiel  salient. 
This  salient  had  defied  all  attacks  for  four  years,  and  its  cap- 
ture freed  the  important  railway  from  Bar-le-Duc  through 
Commercy  and  Toul  to  Nancy,  which  had  previously  been 
subjected  to  constant  shelling  and  bombing.  The  success  thus 
achieved  was  promptly  followed  up  by  incessant  blows  else- 
where on  the  western  front,  and  the  enemy  was  robbed  of  all 
chance  of  resuming  the  offensive. 

One  of  the  most  important  of  these  operations  occurred 
just  a  fortnight  after  the  commencement  of  the  St.  Mihieldrive 
and  was  made  by  the  joint  action  of  the  Second  French  Army 
west  of  the  Argonne  Forest  and  of  the  First  American  Army 
between  the  Argonne  and  the  river  Meuse.  The  eventual 
objectives  of  this  concerted  offensive  were  Sedan  and 
Mezieres,  two  important  railway  centres  through  which  most 
of  the  supplies  were  forwarded  to  the  German  forces  within 
the  quadrilateral  formed  by  those  two  points  and  Laon, 
Rheims,  and  Verdun.  The  seizure  of  Sedan  and  Mezieres 
had  a  threefold  object:  first,  the  capture  or  destruction  of  the 
German  armies  within  that  quadrilateral;  second,  the  sever- 
ance of  the  principal  belt  railway  of  the  enemy,  which  ran, 
more  or  less  parallel  to  his  front,  from  the  Vosges  to  Lille 
and  which  served  as  his  main  line  of  supply;  and  third,  the 
threat  which  such  a  success  would  necessarily  make  against 
the  German  positions  on  the  Meuse,  the  last  strong  line  of 
defense  west  of  the  Rhine.  Once  in  possession  of  the  west 
bank  of  the  Meuse  from  St.  Mihiel  to  Mezieres,  the  Allies 
would  be  in  a  decidedly  favorable  position  from  which  to 
attack  the  heights  of  the  upper  Meuse.     Such  an  offensive,  If 


THE  MEUSE-JRGONNE  61 

successful,  would  imperil  the  enemy's  retreat  to  the  Rhine, 
would  force  the  evacuation  of  all  northern  France  and  south- 
ern Belgium  and,  furthermore,  would  result  in  the  capture  of 
the  important  mines  of  Longuyon  and  Briey^^  and  lead,  if  so 
desired,  to  the  investing  of  Metz. 

The  First  American  Army,  under  the  command  of  Gen- 
eral Pershing,  was  at  that  time  composed  of  the  1st,  Ilird, 
IVth,  and  Vth  American  Corps,  the  17th  French  Army 
Corps,  and  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps.''^  Its  plan  was  to 
attack  in  the  direction  of  Buzancy  and  Stonne,  with  the  Ilird 
Corps  (Major  General  Robert  L.  BuUard)  on  the  right  next 
to  the  Meuse,  the  Vth  Corps  (Major  General  George  H. 
Cameron)  in  the  centre,  and  the  1st  Corps  (Major  General 
Hunter  Liggett)  on  the  left.  The  right  of  the  Ilird  Corps 
was  to  maintain  liaison  with  the  17th  French  Army 
Corps  (General  Claudel)  east  of  the  Meuse,  while  the  1st 
Corps,  the  left  of  which  was  to  penetrate  through  the  eastern 
half  of  the  Argonne  Forest,  kept  touch  with  the  French  Fourth 
Army  (General  Mangin)  on  the  west.  The  reserve  of  each 
corps  was  composed  of  one  division,  while  three  divisions  con- 
stituted the  general  reserve  of  the  First  American  Army. 

In  conformity  with  this  plan,  the  mission  of  the  Ilird 
Corps  v/as  to  break  through  the  enemy  positions  between  the 
Ruisseau  de  Forges  and  the  Bois  de  Foret,  to  exploit  its  suc- 
cess by  advancing  northward  from  the  Bois  de  Foret  in  the 
direction  of  Buzancy  and  Stonne,  and  at  the  same  time  to 
organize  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse  for  defense  in  propor- 
tion as  the  attack  progressed.  The  attack  was  to  be  made 
with  three  divisions  in  the  front  line,  the  33rd  Division 
(Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr.)  on  the  east,  its  right  along 
the  left  bank  of  the  Meuse,  the  80th  Division  (Major  Gen- 
eral Adelbert  Cronkhite)  in  the  centre  and  the  4th 
(Regular)  Division  (Major  General  John  L.  Hines)  on  the 


62  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

west.  This  last  division  was  to  maintain  liaison  with  the  79th 
Division  (Major  General  Joseph  E.  Kuhn), which  formed  the 
right  of  the  Vth  Corps,  while  the  33rd  did  likewise  with  the 
18th  French  Division  (General  Andlauer),  which  constituted 
the  left  of  the  17th  French  Army  Corps  east  of  the  Meuse. 
The  first  objective  of  the  Ilird  Corps  was  the  enemy's  second 
position,  the  Hagen  Stellung  Nord  which  will  be  described 
presently,^^  and  its  second  objective  was  the  American  Army 
objective,  the  Volker  Stellung,  both  of  which  were  to  be 
reached  during  "D  day."^*^ 

The  plan  of  the  33rd  Division,  formulated  in  comphance 
with  that  of  the  Ilird  Corps, ^'^  prescribed  an  attack  against 
the  German  positions  from  the  Meuse  westward  to  the  Pas- 
sarelle  du  Don  exclusive — a  footbridge  leading  across  the 
Forges  Brook  midway  between  Bethincourt  and  the  Moulin 
de  Raffecourt.  The  left  of  the  division  was  directed  to 
make  its  attack  in  such  a  way  as  to  reach  as  quickly  as  possible 
the  open  terrain  north  of  Drillancourt  and  east  of  the  village 
of  Gercourt-et-Drillancourt  and  the  Tranchee  du  Bois  Jure, 
thus  assisting  the  centre  of  the  division  in  the  capture  of  the 
Bois  de  Forges.  In  a  word,  the  attack  was  to  be  made  by 
echelons,  the  left  in  advance.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  opera- 
tion the  division  was  to  organize  and  hold  the  line  extending 
from  the  Cote  de  I'Oie  on  the  south  to  the  outskirts  of  the 
town  of  Dannevoux  on  the  north,  its  movement  of  conversion 
bringing  it  into  position  facing  northeast  and  parallel  to  the 
Meuse,  and  it  was  to  clear  away  any  enemy  between  its  front 
and  the  river. ^^  The  attack  was  to  be  made  in  one  bound  by 
the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  (Brigadier  General  Paul  A.  Wolf) 
in  the  front  line,  its  regiments  side  by  side,  the  132nd  Infantry 
(Colonel  Abel  Davis)  on  the  right  and  the  131st  Infantry 
(Colonel  Joseph  B.  Sanborn)  on  the  left.  Two  battalions  of 
each  regiment  were  to  be  placed  in  the  front  line  and.  one  bat- 


:-j.'H 


BEGIXXIXG  OF  PASSAGE  OVER  FORGES  CREEK 


BEGIXXIXC;  OF  1' ASSAGH  ()\  ER  FORGES  CREEK 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  63 

talion  In  support.  The  mission  of  the  132nd  was  to  penetrate 
and  capture  the  Bois  de  Forges,  while  the  131st  Infantry  was 
to  advance  over  the  open  ground  west  of  that  obstacle, 
carry  the  villages  of  Drillancourt  and  Gercourt-et-Dril- 
lancourt,  the  Tranchee  du  Bois  Jure  and  the  Tranchee  du 
Bois  Rond,  mop  up  the  ground  between  the  northern  edge  of 
the  Bois  de  Forges  and  the  northern  boundary  of  the  divi- 
sion, and  finally  take  position  facing  the  west  bank  of  the 
Meuse  between  a  point  four  hundred  meters  north  of  the  Bois 
de  Forges  and  the  Laiterie  de  Belhame. 

The  66th  Infantry  Brigade  was  reenforced  by  Company 
A,  1st  Gas  and  Flame  Regiment,  and  its  reserve  consisted  of 
one  battalion,  130th  Infantry,  stationed  near  Cumieres,  one 
company  being  detailed  to  support  the  122nd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion. 

The  Divisional  Reserve  was  composed  of  troops  of  the 
65th  Infantry  Brigade  with  headquarters  at  Bethelainville, 
namely,  the  130th  Infantry  (Colonel  John  V.  Clinnln),  less 
one  battalion;  the  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  (Major 
Albert  L.  Culbertson).  less  Companies  A  and  B;  the  108th 
Engineers  (Colonel  Henry  A.  Allen),  less  the  2nd  Battalion, 
in  the  ravine  of  the  Ruisseau  de  Damon;  the  129th  Infantry 
(Colonel  Edgar  A.  Myer),  plus  Companies  A  and  B,  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  occupying  the  sector  of  the  79th 
Division  and  Centres  of  Resistance  304  and  Lorraine;  and 
the  122nd  Machine  Gun  BattaHon  (Major  Mariano  B.  South- 
wick)  participating  In  the  barrage  from  Centres  of  Resistance 
Loison  and  Eiffel. ^^ 

The  attack  was  to  be  made  under  cover  of  a  rolling  bar- 
rage of  artillery  and  machine  guns,  supported  In  addition  by 
counterbattery  and  neutralization  fire  against  the  enemy's 
guns  east  of  the  Meuse  by  the  corps  and  divisional  artillery 
not  engaged  in  barrage.     Nine  aeroplanes  and  a  number  of 


64  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

tanks  were  to  cooperate  with  the  infantry.  The  1st  Battalion, 
108th  Engineers,  was  directed  to  have  in  readiness  all  ma- 
terials necessary  to  assist  the  troops  in  crossing  the  Forges 
Brook,  and  to  build  a  bridge  in  the  vicinity  of  Forges  and 
roads  across  the  valley  as  soon  as  the  new  position  had  been 
occupied. 

The  enemy  troops  opposite  the  33rd  Division  at  thattime 
were  identified  as  the  115th  Division,  which  contained  many 
inhabitants  of  Alsace  and  Lorraine.  It  extended  from  the 
Meuse  westward  to  Malancourt,  the  40th  Regiment  on  the 
east,  the  136th  in  the  centre,  and  the  171st  on  the  west.  Each 
regiment  consisted  of  three  battalions,  one  in  the  front  line, 
one  in  reserve,  and  one  in  the  rear  area  at  rest,  each  battalion 
being  composed  of  three  companies.  Along  the  front  were 
groups  of  from  twenty  to  thirty  men,  'with  sentry  squads 
along  the  Forges  Brook,  especially  at  the  points  of  crossing. 
The  units  were  far  below  prescribed  strength  and  the  troops 
were  war-weary  and  discouraged. 

The  terrain  over  which  the  Ilird  Corps  was  to  attack 
presented  many  interesting  features,  as  the  region  north  of 
Verdun  is  known  to  be  a  natural  fortress  of  extraordinary 
strength  and  has  for  centuries  played  an  important  role  in  all 
wars  in  which  France  has  been  engaged.  The  enemy's  posi- 
tion opposite  the  33rd  Division  rested  at  its  western  extremity 
on  a  line  of  ridges  running  northward  from  Sivry-la-Perche 
through  the  Bois  de  Malancourt  to  the  walled  town  of  Mont- 
faucon.  This  place  was  connected  with  the  extensive  Bois  de 
Forges  by  a  series  of  ridges  running  east  to  the  Meuse  and 
embracing  Hills  308,  277,  281,  and  272.  From  these  ridges 
spurs  jut  to  the  northeast  or  southeast,  among  them  being  the 
ridge  west  of  the  Bois  d'en  Dela,  that  toward  Gercourt,  and 
the  ridge  projecting  from  Montfaucon. 

The  soil,  as  a   rule  chalky,   is   solid   except  where   it   is 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  65 

interspersed  with  patches  of  clay.  Such  forests  as  still  exist 
are  difficult  to  penetrate.  The  general  trend  of  the  wide  val- 
leys which  alternate  between  the  ridges  is  toward  the  Meuse, 
and  their  bottoms  are  of  clay  and  frequently  very  marshy.  The 
most  important  of  these  valleys  was  that  of  the  Forges  Brook 
which  separated  the  American  and  German  fronts.  This 
brook,  averaging  about  five  meters  in  width  east  of  Bethin- 
court  and  two  meters  west  of  that  town,  has  two  channels  in 
the  major  part  of  its  course,  the  southern  arm  being  fordable. 
The  approaches  to  the  stream  are  marshy  but  in  a  dry  season 
present  little  difficulty;  in  such  weather  as  that  which  preceded 
the  attack,  however,  the  Forges  Brook  constituted  a  decided 
obstacle. 

The  German  positions  on  the  front  of  the  33rd  Division 
were  distinctly  cut  up  and  therefore  presented  considerable 
difficulty  to  an  attack.  Organized  in  depth,  they  comprised 
three  barrier  positions  or  systems  of  defense,  the  southern 
entitled  the  Hagen  Stellung,  the  second  the  Volker  Stellung, 
and  the  northern  the  Kriemhild  Stellung.  The  first,  which 
ran  from  the  wood  southwest  and  west  of  Malancourt  to  the 
Bois  de  Forges,  skirting  the  southern  and  southeastern  edge 
to  the  Meuse,  consisted  of  two  positions,  the  Hagen  Stellung 
Sud  and  the  Hagen  Stellung  Nord,  each  of  two  trenches. 
When  the  Germans  rearranged  their  defense  at  Verdun  on 
August  15,  1917,  the  former  was  replaced  by  a  series  of  ad- 
vanced posts  jutting  to  the  south  line  bastions  and  provided 
with  machine-gun  emplacements  and  shelters  for  small  groups 
of  men.  This  line  served  as  a  covering  zone,  while  the  real 
line  of  resistance  was  the  Hagen  Stellung  Nord,  extending 
from  the  Bois  de  Very  along  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de 
Montfaucon,  where  it  bent  to  the  north  past  the  Bois  de  Cuisy 
and  thence  in  a  broad  bow  south  of  the  village  of  Cuisy  to  the 
Bois  de  Forges,  at  which  point  it  joined  the  Hagen  Stellung 

(5) 


66  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Sud.  Better  located  than  the  latter,  it  was  additionally 
strengthened  by  a  deep  ravine  west  of  Bethincourt  which  it 
completely  dominated.  During  the  preceding  six  months  the 
enemy  had  made  substantially  no  improvements  in  this  system 
except  near  Hill  281,  north  of  which  was  a  zone  of  dugouts, 
and  on  the  eastern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Montfaucon,  although 
some  new  observation  posts  had  been  constructed  along  this 
front.  The  trenches,  protected  by  a  double  or  treble  network 
of  low,  concertina  wire,  were  in  good  condition;  but  the  dug- 
outs— holding  fifteen  or  twenty  men  and  about  fifteen  feet 
deep — were  not  of  concrete  and  the  communicating  trenches 
were  exposed  except  where  concealed  by  crests  or  woods. 

Beyond  the  Hagen  Stellung  Nord  and  at  distances  from 
it  ranging  from  one  and  a  half  to  four  kilometers  was  the 
Volker  Stellung,  which  may  be  likened  to  a  snake,  its  head  in 
the  Argonne  Forest  southwest  of  Montblainville  and  its  tail 
at  Dannevoux.  In  its  first  form  it  began  between  Baulny 
and  Charpentry  on  the  west,  but  the  head  and  first  third  of  its 
length  had  been  recently  constructed.  These  new  works 
joined  the  old  about  one  kilometer  southeast  of  fipinonville 
whence  this  system  pursued  its  serpentine  course  around  the 
southern  and  eastern  outskirts  of  Montfaucon,  north  to  the 
Bois  de  Septsarges,  where  it  bent  toward  the  east  through  the 
opening  between  the  Bois  de  Sachet  and  the  Bois  d'en  Dela, 
and  skirted  the  southern  and  eastern  edges  of  the  Bois  Jure 
to  a  point  midway  between  Dannevoux  and  the  Meuse.  The 
communicating  trenches  were  not  particularly  strong  but  were 
defiladed  by  the  crest  and  protected  by  the  Bois  de  Sachet,  d'en 
Dela,  and  Jure;  the  trenches  south  of  these  woods,  however, 
were  in  bad  condition  and  there  existed  no  intermediate 
defenses  between  the  Hagen  and  Volker  systems. 

The  third  or  withdrawal  system,  known  as  the  Kriemhild 
Stellung,  constituted  part  of  the  final  Hne  of  resistance  of  the 


THE  MEUSE-/1RG0NNE  67 

Hindenburg  system.  It  consisted  of  two  widely  separated 
positions,  the  southernmost  lying  three  kilometers  from  the 
Volker  Stellung  at  the  nearest  point.  The  western  extremity 
of  this  position  rested  on  the  Grandpre-Varennes  road  about 
three  kilometers  from  the  former  town,  whence  it  extended 
through  Sommerance,  across  the  Bois  de  Money,  south  of  the 
Bois  de  Ognons  and,  bending  to  the  northeast,  terminated 
about  two  kilometers  from  Brieulles-sur-Meuse.  The  second 
line  of  the  Kriemhild  Stellung,  situated  some  six  kilometers 
farther  north,  ran  in  a  fairly  straight  line  south  of  the  villages 
of  Thenorgues,  Sivry-les-Bezancy,  Bayonville  et  Chennery, 
and  Andevanne,  and  terminated  at  the  river  directly  opposite 
Dun-sur-Meuse. 

The  Kriemhild  Stellung  was  a  continuation  on  the  east 
of  the  Brunhild  Stellung,  which  it  adjoined  at  Mouron. 
Begun  in  October  and  November,  1917,  it  was  only  partly 
completed;  the  finished  portion  was,  however,  constructed  in 
accordance  with  the  latest  German  regulation.  East  of  the 
Meuse,  the  Kriemhild  Stellung  was  nearer  completion  and 
was  extremely  strong. 

During  the  varying  phases  of  the  struggle  for  Verdun  in 
1916  and  1917,  the  Germans  established  a  large  number  of 
emplacements  for  artillery.  In  1918  the  number  actually 
occupied  was  small  by  comparison,  but  four  nests  of  batteries 
had  been  located,  their  activity  being  dependent  largely  upon 
the  unit  serving  the  guns.  One  of  these  nests  was  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Gercourt,  north  of  Hill  281;  the  second  was  in  the 
Fond-des-Haupt-Pres,  Fond  de  Tanieres,  and  the  Bois  de 
Forges;  the  third  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cuisy  on  the 
slopes  south  of  the  ravine  of  Grands-Pres;  and  the  fourth  was 
in  the  region  of  the  Bois  de  Cuisy,  four  batteries  being  in 
reserve  in  the  ravine  of  the  Bois  de  Montfaucon.  The  guns 
were  of  the  average    calibre,    including    small    and    medium 


6^  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

howitzers.  Batteries  were  known  to  be  in  the  Bois  de  Forges 
and  in  June  some  ten  batteries  of  77-  and  105-millimeters 
appeared  between  Apremont  and  Montfaucon.  Counter- 
battery  work  also  disclosed  a  number  of  large  calibre  guns  of 
Austrian  manufacture. 

The  entire  region  north  of  Verdun  is  one  of  extra- 
ordinary natural  strength.  Generally  speaking,  the  terrain 
consists  of  a  series  of  high  ridges,  the  ends  of  which  overlap 
one  another  alternately  in  such  a  way  as  to  afford  perfect 
observation  and  flanking  fire.  In  the  sector  embraced  in  the 
attack  of  the  Ilird  American  Corps  the  most  striking  features 
are  the  wide  and  marshy  valley  of  the  Ruisseau  de  Forges, 
the  massive  Bois  de  Forges,  and  the  walled  town  of  Mont- 
faucon, perched  on  a  height  which  completely  dominates  miles 
of  the  surrounding  terrain.  The  configuration  of  the  ground 
is  such  that  it  was  evident  that  (a)  the  right  or  east  bank  of 
the  Meuse  permitted  observation  well  to  the  rear  of  the  posi- 
tions south  of  the  Forges  Brook;  (b)  any  attack  on  the  west 
bank  and  within  several  kilometers  of  the  river  would  be 
exposed  to  flanking  fire  by  artillery  posted  on  the  commanding 
heights  east  of  the  Meuse;  and  (c)  the  line  of  crests,  of  which 
Montfaucon  was  the  key,  was  plainly  the  first  objective  in  any 
advance  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river. 

On  September  25,  1918,  at  11:30  p.m.,  all  the  corps 
artillery  in  the  First  American  Army  began  its  preparation 
fire.^®  Three  hours  later — 2  :30  A.M.  on  September  26 — the 
army  artillery  joined  in  and,  under  cover  of  this  combined  fire, 
the  troops  assembled  at  their  appointed  places  in  the  front-line 
trenches.  In  the  33rd  Division  everything  was  in  readiness 
for  the  attack;  and  the  108th  Engineers,  who  had  prepared 
12,000  fascines  and  had  stored  them,  with  planks  and  other 
necessary  material,  in  the  forward  trenches,  began  the  con- 
struction of  nine  passages  over  the  Forges  Brook,  built  the 


FORGliS-BETJIlNCOURT    ROAD,    WEST    FROM     FORCiliS 


^t^::^'w5A^i 


ARTILLERY'    BRIDGE,    FORGES   CREEK 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  69 

necessary  approaches,  and  laid  the  duckboards,  tapes,  and 
ropes  leading  to  them.  The  early  part  of  the  night  had  been 
very  still;  but  as  the  moon  rose,  a  heavy  ground  mist  gath- 
ered and  later  the  sky  became  overcast.  Protected  by  cover- 
ing parties  of  infantry,  the  bombardment,  and  the  mist,  the 
engineers  succeeded,  in  spite  of  the  enemy's  artillery  and 
machine-gun  fire,  in  getting  these  bridges  in  place  and  ready 
before  the  zero  hour,^^  while  in  their  rear  the  infantry  suc- 
cessfully performed  the  difficult  work  of  cutting  lanes  through 
the  network  of  wire  in  front  of  the  American  positions.*^ 
Farther  to  the  east  the  108th  Field  Signal  Battalion  completed 
the  laying  of  a  cable  across  the  Meuse,  this  work  having  been 
begun  the  night  before  for  the  purpose  of  insuring  lateral 

communication  with  the  18th  French  Division  on  the  right 
bank.43 

At  5  :30  A.M.  the  divisional  artillery  joined  in  the  bom- 
bardment with  preparation  fire'*^  and  a  standing  barrage  by 
the  75s  which,  in  the  case  of  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade, 
was  put  down  along  the  Forges-Bethincourt  road  for  twenty- 
five  minutes.^^  Under  its  protection,  supplemented  by  that  of 
a  machine-gun  barrage,'*'^  covered  by  a  smoke-screen'*''^  and  con- 
cealed by  the  fog,  the  attack  was  launched  at  the  same  minute. 
Side  by  side  the  131st  and  132nd  Infantry,  the  former 
on  the  west,  the  latter  on  the  east,  advanced  into  the  marshy 
valley  of  the  Forges  Brook,  plunged  through  the  morass, 
crossed  the  stream  at  nine  different  points  where  passages 
had  been  prepared  by  the  engineers,  and  re-formed  on  the 
northern  bank,  using  the  Forges-Bethincourt  road  as  a 
guide.  Considering  the  terrain,  the  obstacles  encountered, 
and  the  heavy  machine-gun  fire  from  the  enemy's  positions 
dominating  the  valley,  this  operation  was  attended  with  very 
little  loss.*^  This  was  undoubtedly  due  to  the  tremendous 
American  bombardment,  the  fog,  the  remarkable  speed  with 


70  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

which  the  crossing  was  effected,  and  ,to  the  height  of  the 
enemy's  fire.'*''  The  advance  of  the  131st  Infantry,  however, 
was  hampered  by  the  failure  of  the  319th  Infantry  (160th 
Infantry  Brigade,  80th  Division)  to  be  in  its  proper  position 
immediately  west  of  the  131st  at  the  zero  hour;  this  circum- 
stance necessitated  putting  in  the  support  battalion — the  1st, 
commanded  by  Captain  Carroll  M.  Gale — to  clean  up  a  por- 
tion of  the  sector  assigned  to  the  319th  Infantry. ^^ 

At  6  :27  A.M.  the  rolling  barrage  commenced^^  and  the 
troops,  which  had  then  been  re-formed  along  the  Forges-Beth- 
incourt  road,^^  jumped  off..  Scarcely  had  the  advance  begun 
when  an  immense  amount  of  enemy  wire  and  heavy  fire  from 
well-organized  machine-gun  nests  on  the  slopes  and  in  the 
various  woods  were  encountered.  All  efforts  to  establish 
liaison  with  the  80th  Division  proved  fruitless  and,  in  conse- 
quence, the  left  flank  of  the  regiment  remained  "in  the  air" 
throughout  the  attack  and  until  long  after  the  objective  had 
been  attained. ^^ 

Following  behind  a  rolling  barrage  about  eight  hundred 
meters  wide,^^  the  131st  Infantry  advanced  with  unusual 
rapidity,  notwithstanding  the  difficult  terrain,  the  heavy  fire 
from  the  enemy  artillery  and  machine-gun  nests,  the  smoke 
from  the  barrage,  and  the  fog  which  made  it  impossible  to  see 
farther  than  a  few  yards.  The  trenches  of  Cervaux,  Besace, 
Billemont,  Lenime,  and  Berny  were  successfully  crossed  and 
mopped  up,  and  a  large  number  of  machine-gun  nests  were 
reduced. ^^  At  the  Cervaux  Trench,  about  two  hundred  meters 
from  the  jumping-off  line,  the  1st  Battalion  ran  athwart  the 
rear  waves  of  the  preceding  battalions  and  a  mass  of  wire,  was 
held  up  for  an  hour,  and  became  separated  from  the  rest  of 
the  regiment.  It  was  not  until  8  A.M.  that  it  succeeded  in 
extricating  itself;  but,  once  under  way,  it  pushed  forward  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  although  then  fully  two  miles  behind  the 


THE  MEUSE-JRGONNE  71 

other  two  battalions.  It  crossed  the  Germafi  trenches  with- 
out meeting  resistance;  but  its  progress  was  greatly  hampered 
by  subsequent  trenches,  the  large  amount  of  enemy  wire  and 
the  transverse  ravines  encountered,  and  by  the  smoke — in 
which  Companies  A  and  D,  which  had  run  into  troops  in 
front  of  them,  became  lost.  It  was  only  by  following  the 
compass  bearing  that  Companies  B  and  C  were  able  to  main- 
tain direction  and  to  cross  the  top  of  the  Iiill  and  the  German 
main  line  of  defense.  At  this  point  the  smoke  became  less 
dense,  no  enemy  infantry  was  encountered,  no  friendly  troops 
were  visible,  there  was  no  sign  of  Companies  A  and  D,  and 
the  barrage  was  more  than  two  miles  ahead.  Upon  the  as- 
sumption that  the  rest  of  the  regiment  was  somewhere  in 
advance,  the  battalion  commander  deployed  Companies  B  and 
C  in  combat  groups  covering  the  regimental  front  and  pushed 
on,  frequently  under  machine-gun  fire  from  the  enemy.  Upon 
reaching  an  enemy  strong  point  in  a  copse  about  one  thousand 
yards  southwest  of  Drillancourt,  Company  C  had  a  lively  fight 
which  ended  in  the  killing  of  six  Germans  and  the  capture  of 
fifteen  prisoners,  three  machine  guns,  and  two  fieldpieces. 
During  this  little  engagement  Company  B,  reenforced  by  one 
platoon  of  Company  C,  advanced  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the 
valley  to  Drillancourt,  where  the  former  took  a  machine-gun 
nest  and  three  prisoners  and  the  latter  six  machine  guns  and 
thirty  prisoners.  Company  C  then  pushed  forward  to  Ger- 
court-et-Drillancourt,  and  in  that  town  captured  eight  machine 
guns,  two  fieldpieces,  forty  prisoners,  and  a  Mercedes  motor 
ambulance.  The  advance  to  the  northeast  was  resumed,  the 
left  of  the  company  protected  by  two  platoons,  one  moving 
along  the  edge  of  the  Bois  Jure,  the  other  by  the  east  bank  of 
the  Hoche  Brook.  Little  opposition  was  encountered,  as  the 
crews  of  the  German  machine  guns  in  that  wood  drew  back 
and  permitted  the  company  to  pass  unmolested.    About  a  mile 


72  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

north  of  Gercourt-et-Drlllancourt,  Company  C  overtook  the 
American  barrage,  which  was  extremely  thin  at  this  point, 
and  the  movement  was  slowed  down  to  conform  to  it.  The 
platoon  on  the  left  then  recrossed  the  stream  and  Company  C 
turned  eastward,  its  front  prolonged  to  the  south  by  Com- 
pany B  which,  upon  reaching  the  road  from  Gercourt-et-Dril- 
lancourt  to  Consenvoye,  had  swung  in  the  same  direction,  its 
right  following  that  road.  This  latter  company  had  scarcely 
changed  front  when  it  came  under  point-blank  fire  from  a  77- 
millimeter  gun,  protected  by  a  machine  gun,  posted  on  the  high 
ground  about  a  kilometer  northeast  of  Gercourt-et-Drillan- 
court.^^  A  spirited  attack  resulted  in  the  killing  of  part  of  the 
crew  and  the  capture  of  these  guns  as  well  as  several  other 
fieldpieces  which  were  found  abandoned  in  the  vicinity.  Fur- 
ther resistance  was  confined  to  a  few  machine  guns,  which 
ceased  firing  long  before  they  could  be  reached,  and  the  sky 
line  in  front  was  dotted  with  fleeing  Germans. 

The  objective,  seven  kilometers  from  the  point  of  de- 
parture, was  attained  at  10:10  A.M.,  and  a  report  to  this  effect 
was  dispatched  by  runner  to  the  regimental  commander. ^'^  The 
arrival  of  these  troops  was  evidently  unexpected,  since  8  Ger- 
man officers — including  a  colonel — and  138  men  were  discov- 
ered in  dugouts  and  houses  on  the  side  of  the  cliff.  They  sur- 
rendered when  fired  upon,-^  thus  bringing  the  total  number 
of  prisoners  captured  that  morning  by  the  1st  Battalion  up  to 
406;  in  addition,  they  took  the  stores  along  the  cliff  abandoned 
by  the  enemy. ^^  Position  was  promptly  taken  along  the 
Verdun-Sedan  highroad  and  railway,  facing  the  Meuse,  the 
front  of  the  1st  Battalion,  two  kilometers  in  length,  extending 
from  the  junction  of  the  road  leading  to  Consenvoye  on  the 
south  to  a  point  about  seven  hundred  meters  southeast  of  the 
Laiterie  de  Belhame.  Owing  to  the  transference  of  many  men 
to  other  units  and  to  the  fact  that  no  other  American  troops 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  73 

were  in  sight,  the  line  was  thinly  held.  The  consolidation  was 
effected  by  platoon  posts  and  the  troops  at  once  started  to  dig 
in,*^*^  under  cover  of  the  guns  of  Company  C,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  which,  after  completing  its  opening  barrage, 
had  followed  the  1st  Battalion. *^^ 

Meanwhile  the  3rd  Battalion  (Major  Francis  M. 
Allen),  which  formed  the  left  of  the  131st  Infantry,  had 
experienced  many  vicissitudes.  Immediately  after  crossing 
the  Forges  Brook,  every  attempt  was  made  to  establish  liaison 
with  the  319th  Infantry  of  the  80th  Division,  but  all  efforts 
proved  ineffectual  and  in  consequence  a  platoon  was  posted  on 
the  left  to  cover  that  exposed  flank. *^-  The  movement  had 
scarcely  begun  before  it  was  held  up  for  twenty  minutes  by  a 
barrage  over  the  sector  of  advance  allotted  to  this  battalion, 
put  down  by  the  machine  guns  of  the  80th  Division  in  spite  of 
the  fact  that  the  machine  guns  of  the  33rd  Division  designated 
to  cover  the  initial  movement  of  this  particular  command  had 
then  ceased  firing.^^  Upon  the  termination  of  this  barrage  the 
advance  was  resumed  under  constant  heavy  machine-gun  fire 
which  failed,  however,  to  check  the  progress.  As  the  troops 
toiled  up  the  southern  slope  of  Hill  227  the  sun  burst  through 
the  mist,  and  the  scene  which  unfolded  before  them  stimulated 
them  to  the  greatest  effort. ^^  Upon  reaching  a  point  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  south  of  Gercourt-et-Drillancourt 
the  3rd  Battalion  was  greeted  by  a  hot  fire  from  enemy 
machine-gun  nests  and  snipers.  Gallant  action  on  the  part  of 
an  oflicer  and  two  corporals  and  effectual  work  by  a  platoon 
of  the  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  soon  put  them  hors  de 
combat,^^  while  the  Bois  Jure  was  subjected  to  such  a  violent 
machine-gun  fire  that  the  infantry  was  enabled  to  penetrate 
that  wood.*^^  The  task  of  mopping  up  to  a  depth  of  two 
hundred  yards  beyond  the  flank  trenches  a  kilometer  in  length 
along  the  eastern  edge  of  the  Bois  Jure  was  a  slow  and  difii- 


74  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

cult  one  f^  nevertheless,  the  work  was  thoroughly  done  and 
the  3rd  Battalion  succeeded  in  reaching  the  objective  on 
scheduled  time,  1 1  a.m.,  having  captured,  during  its  advance, 
a  large  number  of  prisoners, "^^  twenty-eight  machine  guns,  six 
cannon,  and  a  quantity  of  engineering  equipment. "^^  The 
troops  promptly  occupied  and  began  the  consolidation  of  the 
northernmost  sector,  in  the  rear  of  the  left  of  the  1st  Bat- 
talion, their  right  resting  on  the  high  ground  south  of  the 
Ravin  du  Gue  Semette  and  their  left  close  to  the  Laiterie  de 
Belhame,''"  where  the  3rd  Platoon  of  the  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion  was  posted  to  protect  that  flank,  which  remained 
uncovered  until  the  319th  Infantry  of  the  80th  Division 
reached  its  objective  immediately  adjacent  on  the  afternoon 
of  September  27."^^  A  platoon  of  infantry  was  at  once  sent  to 
take  possession  of  an  enemy  depot  between  Dannevoux  and 
the  Meuse,  which  was  found  to  contain  an  enormous  quantity 
of  war  materiel  of  every  sort.'^- 

The  2nd  Battalion  (Major  Hamlet  C.  Ridgway),  which 
formed  the  right  of  the  131st  Infantry,  was  subjected  to  no 
such  delay  after  leaving  the  jumping-off  line,  although  the 
trench  mortar  detachment  accompanying  it  was  put  out  of 
action  at  the  very  start  and  the  37-millimeter  gun  had  to  be 
left  behind  as  it  was  impossible  to  move  it  across  the  Forges 
Brook."^^  The  advance  of  this  battalion,  however,  was  Im- 
peded in  numerous  ways;  among  other  difficulties,  it  encoun- 
tered a  severe  resistance  and  two  of  its  companies,  E  and  F, 
were  lost  in  the  smoke. "^^  These  companies,  reenforced  by  the 
detachment  of  engineers  attached  to  Company  E  which  fought 
as  infantry,  nevertheless  pushed  on,  making  such  good 
progress  that  they  reached  the  objective  about  11  A.M.,  almost 
simultaneously  with  the  3rd  Battalion,  and  took  their  prpper 
position  in  the  rear  of  the  1st  Battalion. "^^  The  remaining 
companies,   G   and   H,   were   hampered   by   a   succession   of 


^Jr-  H 


VP 


-«<^ 


•soi:^ 


'.  ^^v^'*^A-;^-,-;:v. 


'*^%l^ 


CORDUROY  ROAD,   SOUTH   END  OF   FORGES   CREEK  SWAMP 


CORDURO\'  ROAD,   XORTH    END  OF   FORGES   CREEK   SWAMP 


THE  MEUSE-JRGONNE  75 

machine-gun  nests,  resistance  encountered  in  the  enemy  rear 
trenches — which  were  rapidly  mopped  up,  however — machine 
guns  in  Drillancourt,  and  attacks  by  hostile  aeroplanes,  which 
turned  their  machine  guns  on  the  troops  and  wounded  two 
men.'*^  Great  care  had  to  be  exercised  to  maintain  close  liaison 
with  the  132nd  Infantry  on  the  right  and  to  avoid  too  rapid 
an  advance  lest  the  eastern  flank  of  the  131st  be  exposed  to 
the  enemy  in  the  Bois  de  Forges  before  that  wood  had  been 
thoroughly  secured.  Consequently  it  was  not  until  12  :15  P.M. 
that  Companies  G  and  H  attained  the  objective  and  rejoined 
Companies  E  and  F.  The  2nd  Battalion  then  took  position  in 
second  line,  its  right  resting  on  the  Cote  des  Grands-Pres  and 
its  left  at  the  Ravin  du  Gue  Semette  in  touch  with  the  right  of 
the  3rd  Battalion,  and  the  work  of  consolidation  was  rapidly 
pushed  to  completion.  The  2nd  Battalion  contributed  its 
share  to  the  captures  of  the  day  by  approximately  250  prison- 
ers, 30  machine  guns,  and  10  fieldpieces."^"^ 

At  1 :30  P.M.  Company  D,  which  formed  the  left  of  the 
1st  Battalion,  reached  its  objective  after  many  delays.  At  the 
outset  it  had  followed  Companies  I  and  L  of  the  3rd  Battalion 
up  the  first  crest  and,  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  north 
of  the  Berny  Trench,  had  encountered  an  enemy  strong  point 
in  a  copse.  A  skillful  attack  yielded  106  prisoners,  but  at  this 
point  the  company  lost  touch  completely  with  Companies  I 
and  L.  After  thoroughly  mopping  up  this  position,  it  con- 
tinued its  advance  alone  through  Gercourt-et-Drillancourt  and 
along  the  eastern  edge  of  the  Bois  Jure,  where  it  was  sub- 
jected to  enemy  fire  but  luckily  incurred  no  casualties.  Push- 
ing on  it  took  position  in  the  rear  of  the  3rd  Battalion,  facing 
north,  its  left  close  to  the  Tranchee  du  Bois  Rond;  when  its 
arrival  was  reported,  however,  it  was  moved  forward  into 
place  on  the  left  of  the  1st  Battalion.'^^ 

It  was  still  later  in  the  afternoon  when  the  commanding 


76  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

officer  of  Company  A,  which  had  constituted  the  right  of  the 
1st  BattaHon,  reported  his  arrival.  In  advancing  up  the  first 
hill  this  company  had  run  into  Companies  F  and  H  of  the  2nd 
Battalion  and  had  cooperated  with  them  in  the  capture  of 
about  one  hundred  Germans  and  several  machine  guns.  It 
then  skirted  the  southwestern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Forges,  con- 
tinued through  Drillancourt,  swung  to  the  east  upon  reaching 
the  road  from  Gercourt-et-Drillancourt  to  Consenvoye,  and 
halted  one  kilometer  east  of  the  former  town  in  the  position 
originally  assigned  to  it.  When  the  commanding  officer 
reported  the  arrival  of  the  company,  it  was  ordered  forward 
to  take  over  the  southern  sector  of  the  battalion,  which  had 
been  held  by  Company  B  pending  its  appearance. "^^ 

During  the  afternoon  twelve  machine  guns,  captured 
from  the  enemy  and  manned  by  a  section  of  the  37-millimeter 
detachment,  some  orderlies,  and  intelligence  privates  were 
posted  on  the  ridge  in  the  rear  of  the  2nd  Battalion  as  a  pro- 
tection against  any  offensive  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  from 
the  Bois  Jure.^" 

In  addition  to  the  seizure  of  the  enemy  depot  near  Dan- 
nevoux,  to  which  allusion  has  been  made,  the  captures  effected 
by  the  131st  Infantry  during  its  advance  of  seven  kilometers 
were  very  considerable  and  included  among  other  materiel^ 
sixteen  guns  of  various  calibres,  fifty-two  machine  guns,  and 
some  railway  cars.^^  The  number  of  prisoners  taken  was 
estimated  at  six  hundred  and  fifty  but,  as  many  of  these  were 
turned  over  to  other  units  for  immediate  use,  the  number 
cannot  be  exactly  determined.  Considering  the  results 
achieved  the  cost  was  comparatively  small,  since  only  one 
officer  and  19  enlisted  men  were  killed,  although  2  officers 
and  131  other  ranks  were  wounded.^-  There  were  no  missing 
reported  in  this  action. 

Not  less  successful  was  the  attack  of  the  132nd  Infantry 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  77 

(Colonel  Abel  Davis)  on  the  right  or  east  of  the  131st  In- 
fantry. As  has  been  seen,  its  mission  was  to  break  through 
the  enemy  positions  in  front  of  and  in  the  formidable  Bois  de 
Forges  and  to  organize  the  Verdun-Sedan  road  four  hundred 
meters  north  of  the  Bois  de  Forges. ^^  The  proximity  of  this 
regiment  to  the  Meuse  made  it  the  pivot  for  all  operations 
west  of  that  river.  Its  formation  for  the  attack  was  analogous 
to  that  of  the  131st  Infantry,^-*  on  the  right  of  which  it 
crossed  the  valley  of  the  Forges  Brook.and  re-formed  on  the 
Bethincourt-Forges  road,^^  its  left  just  west  of  the  Moulin  de 
Raffecourt  and  its  right  about  one  thousand  yards  from  the 
outskirts  of  the  village  of  Forges. 

At  6:15  A.M.,  when  the  standing  barrage  changed  into  a 
rolling  barrage  and  started  forward,^^  the  front  line  battalions 
of  this  regiment — the  1st  (Captain  B.  J.  Dodd)  on  the  right, 
the  2nd  (Major  Paul  C.  Gale)  on  the  left,  with  the  3rd 
(Major  John  J.  BuUington)  in  its  rear — followed  at  a  dis- 
tance of  three  hundred  meters.  Upon  reaching  the  Diogenes 
Trench  and  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Forges  about 
6:30  A.M.,  the  troops  were  greeted  by  a  hot  fire  from  the 
enemy  machine  guns;  but  the  advance  was  not  interrupted, 
since  the  flanking  platoons  speedily  disabled  the  guns.  At  this 
point  Company  D,  1st  Battalion,  which  formed  the  entire 
right,  separated  from  the  rest  of  that  unit  and  swung  to  the 
east  in  order  to  carry  out  the  particular  mission  assigned  to  it. 
Brushing  aside  all  opposition,  it  proceeded  to  capture  the 
village  of  Forges,  mopped  up  all  trenches  in  the  immediate 
vicinity,  and  started  after  the  battahon.^'^ 

Meanwhile  the  132nd  Infantry  had  attained  a  position 
in  the  Bois  de  Forges  extending  from  the  Forges-Drillancourt 
road  on  the  left  to  the  southwestern  edge  of  the  woods  on  the 
right  and  had  met  a  very  severe  resistance  from  a  mass  of 
machine-gun  nests  echeloned  in  five  tiers.    So  heavy  was  their 


78  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

fire  that  further  progress  in  Hne  formation  was  out  of  the 
question,  and  the  troops  were  accordingly  spHt  up  into  small 
combat  groups.  In  this  fashion  the  regiment  pushed  forward 
under  incessant  fire,  flanking  the  machine-gun  nests,  strong 
points,  and  other  resistance,  and  bombing  isolated  posts.  In 
this  operation  trench  mortars  were  used  to  great  advantage, 
while  the  enemy  snipers  who  infested  the  trees  were  effectually 
disposed  of  by  the  riflemen.  The  dense  fog  which  hung  low  in 
the  woods  cloaked  the  movements  of  the  Americans  and  full 
advantage  was  taken  of  it.  It  was  a  fortunate  factor  in  view 
of  the  method  employed,  which  alone  enabled  the  troops  to 
cope  successfully  with  the  conditions  confronting  them.  The 
companies  necessarily  became  somewhat  mixed  and,  because 
of  the  density  of  the  woods,  many  men  were  lost  or  separated 
from  the  groups  to  which  they  belonged.  By  the  time  the 
Forges-Drillancourt  road  was  crossed,  however,  the  advance 
was  being  made  in  as  good  order  as  could  be  expected  under 
such  difficult  circumstances.^^ 

At  this  point  the  front  of  the  regiment  swung  to  the  right 
until  it  faced  the  northeast  and  the  advance  continued. '^^  As 
the  1st  Battalion  approached  the  Ravin  du  Rapilleux  one 
company  was  met  by  heavy  machine-gun  fire  from  a  command- 
ing position  on  the  farther  side ;  but  the  troops  worked  quietly 
forward,  rushed  the  gun,  and  killed  the  entire  crew.  At  the 
same  time  the  left  company  of  the  same  unit  closed  In  on  the 
German  battahon  headquarters  situated  at  the  eastern  edge 
of  the  woods  between  the  mouth  of  the  ravine  just  mentioned 
and  that  of  the  Ravin  PImpanel,  surprised  the  machine  guns 
defending  It,  and  captured  a  considerable  number  of  prisoners. 
The  German  commander  and  part  of  his  staff  were  barely  able 
to  escape  and  beat  a  hasty  retreat  across  the  bridge  to  Consen- 
voye,  their  flight  covered  by  two  machine  guns  In  the  valley  of 
the  Meuse.^"    The  1st  Battalion  then  continued  Its  movement 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  79 

and  about  9  :45  A.M.  reached  its  objective  and  took  position 
along  the  railway  track,  its  left  opposite  the  mouth  of  the 
Ravin  Pimpanel.  Here  it  was  joined  soon  after  by  the  right 
company,  which  had  attacked  Forges  and  which  extended  the 
line  as  far  as  the  easternmost  point  of  the  woods. °^ 

Meanwhile  the  2nd  Battalion  had  attained  the  sixty- 
centimeter  railway,  which  traversed  the  Bois  de  Forges  about 
three  hundred  yards  west  of  the  Forges-Drillancourt  road,  and 
had  executed  a  turning  movement  to  the  northeast  which 
brought  its  right  upon  the  road  running  from  the  southwest 
corner  of  the  woods  and  issuing  through  the  Ravin  Pimpanel. 
Its  advance  was  marked  by  frequent  encounters  with  machine- 
gun  nests,  which  were  reduced  in  short  order,  and  by  heavy 
artillery  fire  as  it  debouched  from  the  woods.  Before  ten 
o'clock  it,  too,  had  reached  its  objective;  it  then  took  position 
north  of  the  1st  Battalion,  its  left  just  beyond  the  Cote  des 
Grands-Pres.^^ 

In  its  rear  the  3rd  Battalion  followed  at  a  distance  of 
five  hundred  yards  until  the  Bois  de  Forges  was  reached.  Here 
it  struck  off  toward  the  north,  skirting  the  western  edge  of  the 
woods  in  order  to  maintain  the  liaison  between  the  131st  and 
132nd  Infantry  and  to  fill  the  void  created  by  the  turning 
movement  of  the  latter.  Part  of  this  battalion  was  sent  to 
take  commanding  positions  in  the  centre  of  the  Bois  de  Forges, 
to  mop  up  that  wood  and  to  hold  the  approaches  in  the  event 
of  a  counterattack.  The  remainder  continued  on  to  its 
objective,  where  it  arrived  about  10  A.M.,  and  took  position 
north  of  the  2nd  Battalion, ^^  its  left  prolonged  by  the  1st  Bat- 
talion, 131st  Infantry,  which  came  into  place  at  10:10  a.m.'^^ 

At  ten  o'clock  the  entire  132nd  Infantry  was  on  its  ob- 
jective and  the  work  of  digging  in  began. ^^  The  consolida- 
tion was  effected  with  the  assistance  of  the  engineers  but  was 
subjected  to  an  annoying  fire  from  enemy  machine  guns  in  the 


80  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

direction  of  Consenvoye.®^  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battahon,  which  had  followed  the  3rd  Battalion,  arrived  at 
10:30  A.M.;  half  an  hour  later  Company  A,  which  had  been 
attached  to  the  2nd  Battalion,  came  up  and  put  its  guns  into 
position  in  that  sector,  but  it  was  after  midday  before  they 
succeeded  in  silencing  the  enemy.'^^  The  trench  mortars  and 
37-millimeter  guns  had  been  unable  to  keep  pace  with  the  in- 
fantry but  during  the  course  of  the  afternoon  they  were 
brought  up  and  placed  in  position. ^^ 

The  distance  covered  by  the  132nd  Infantry  was  five 
kilometers,''^  and  its  operation  was  a  notable  achievement. 
That  it  was  able  in  three  hours  and  a  half  to  fight  its  way 
through  such  a  formidable  forest  as  the  Bois  de  Forges,  one 
of  the  strongest  positions  in  the  Verdun  sector,  which  had 
been  held  by  the  Germans  for  four  years  and  which  was  a 
veritable  fortress  bristling  with  machine  guns,  is  proof  of  the 
skill  and  energy  with  which  the  regiment  was  handled.  That 
the  encircling  movement  of  the  131st  Infantry  contributed 
greatly  to  the  result  in  nowise  detracts  from  the  feat  of  the 
132nd.  Apart  from  what  was  accomplished  in  the  operation 
itself,  in  which  the  regiment  engaged  the  72nd  and  1  ISth  Ger- 
man Reserve  Infantry  Regiments  and  various  detachments 
of  minenwerfers,  signalmen,  and  the  like,  the  captures 
effected  were  not  less  remarkable.  In  addition  to  800  prison- 
ers, 4  six-inch  howitzers,  10  fieldpieces,  10  trench  mortars,  109 
machine  guns,  2  anti-tank  guns,  and  a  large  quantity  of  ammu- 
nition and  stores  fell  into  its  hands. ^''*^  Such  were  the  results 
achieved  with  a  loss  to  the  132nd  Infantry  of  only  one  officer 
and  15  men  killed,  and  72  men  wounded. ^^^ 

In  the  history  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  Thursday, 
September  26,  1918,  was  a  notable  day.  The  brigade  had 
broken  through  an  enemy  position  which  had  defied  every 
such  attempt  for  four  years;  It  had  carried  the  Bois  de  Forges; 


»'    •■■'  -#■ 


BRIGADIER   GENERAL    EDWARD    L.    KING 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  81 

it  had  established  itself  solidly  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse 
in  position  to  cover  the  right  flank,  of  an  American  advance 
northward  or  to  form  the  pivot  of  a  movement  against  the 
heights  east  of  the  river  in  case  an  operation  In  that  direction 
were  decided  upon.  In  addition  to  the  great  amount  of 
materiel  captured,  it  had  taken  approximately  1,400  German 
officers  and  men.  Its  own  casualties  numbered  only  2 
officers  and  34  other  ranks  killed,  and  2  officers  and  203  other 
ranks  wounded,  a  total  of  241.^°-  The  work  of  the  auxiliary 
arms,  as  well  as  that  of  the  infantry,  had  been  such  as  to  re- 
ceive the  highest  commendation.'"^  The  achievements  of  the 
day  were  admirably  summarized  by  the  brigade  commander, 
who  declared  in  his  report : 

This  entire  engagement  was  particularly  Interesting  be- 
cause of  the  fact  that  It  was  an  action  planned  and  executed 
by  a  Brigade  as  a  unit.  It  was  entirely  successful,  owing,  first 
to  the  courage  and  dash  of  our  splendid  troops,  and  second 
because  the  plans  had  been  carefully  worked  out  and  studied 
by  all  concerned  and  during  the  action  these  plans  were  fol- 
lowed with  marvellous  exactness. ^"^ 

During  this  battle  the  65th  Brigade  (Brigadier  General 
Edward  L.  King)  acted  as  the  reserve  of  the  33rd  Division, 
although  the  130th  Infantry  (Colonel  John  V.  Clinnin)  con- 
stituted the  reserve  for  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  In  the 
attack.^®^  Of  this  regiment  the  1st  Battalion  (Captain  James 
Lindsey-Oliver)  had  been  detached  on  September  24  and  sent 
to  Germonvllle  to  report  to  the  commander  of  the  66th 
Brigade.  Three  companies,  A,  C,  and  D,  were  utilized  to 
assist  the  108th  Engineers  to  carry  material  to  the  front-line 
trenches  during  the  night  of  September  24-25,  while  Company 
B  was  stationed  north  of  Cumieres  to  support  the  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  in  the  Vaux-Setif  Trenches  and  on  the 
Haut  de  la  Cote  de  rOie.^oG     -p^g  2nd  and  3rd  Battalions 

C6) 


82  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

under  the  regimental  commander,  marched  on  the  night  of 
September  25  from  the  Bois  de  Ville  to  a  position  in  the 
ravine  of  the  Ruisseau  de  Bamont,  directly  south  of  the  Fort 
de  Bourrus,  where  they  arrived  on  September  26  at  1  A.M.,  in 
ample  time  before  the  zero  hour.  The  129th  Infantry  (Col- 
onel Edgar  A.  Myer),  which  had  been  relieved  on  the  night 
of  September  25  by  units  from  the  80th,  4th,  and  79th  Divi- 
sions, moved  to  Esnes  and  was  estabhshed,  together  with 
Companies  A  and  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  BattaHon,  in  the 
Rascasse  Trench  between  Hills  304  and  310,  where  it  was 
retained  all  day.^<^^  The  rest  of  the  123rd  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion (Major Albert  L, Culbertson)  at  8  p.m.  on  September  25 
followed  the  130th  Infantry  from  the  Bois  de  Ville  to  Bamont 
Ferme,  where  it  arrived  at  12:30  A.M.  on  September  26  and 
stayed  for  the  remainder  of  the  night.  Early  on  the  morning 
of  September  26  orders  were  received  from  the  brigade  com- 
mander to  proceed  to  a  position  in  the  rear  of  the  Mort 
Homme.  The  advance  was  accordingly  resumed  but  at 
1 1  :30  A.M.  it  was  held  up  by  the  congestion  of  traffic  one  kilo- 
meter east  of  La  Claire  and  did  not  reach  its  position  until 
several  hours  later. ^^^ 

The  brigade  P.  C.  remained  at  Bethelainville  until  10 
A.M.,  when  it  was  moved  forward  to  point  177.713,  on  the 
commanding  ridge  1,300  yards  northeast  of  Esnes.  At  this 
place  orders  were  received  designating  the  65th  Brigade  as 
the  reserve  of  the  Ilird  Corps,  and  at  12:59  P.M.  it  was  so 
reported  to  the  Corps  Commander^^^  Pursuant  to  instruc- 
tions from  the  brigade  commander,  received  about  12  :30  P.M., 
the  130th  Infantry,  less  its  1st  Battalion,  proceeded  under 
cover  of  the  smoke  screen  from  the  guns  east  of  the  Meuse 
via  Chattancourt  to  the  Mort  Homme,  but  so  great  was  the 
congestion  in  this  position  and  so  heavy  the  enemy  artillery- 
fire  that  the   two   battalions  were   put   under   shelter   in   the 


THE  MEUSE-ARGONNE  83 

trenches  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Chattancourt,  a  fortunate 
precaution  inasmuch  as  this  place  was  bombarded  continuously 
throughout  the  night.  In  this  position  the  regiment  was 
rejoined  at  the  end  of  the  day  by  the  1st  Battalion. ^^*^ 


IV.     DEFENSE  OF  THE  MEUSE  SECTOR 

From  September  27  to  October  7,  1918,  inclusive,  the 
operations  of  the  33rd  Division  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Meuse  were  characterized  by  no  engagement  of  major  Im- 
portance. The  positions  occupied  at  the  close  of  the  battle 
on  September  26  were  held,  except  for  certain  modifications 
which  will  be  enumerated,  and  thoroughly  organized.  During 
this  period  of  eleven  days  the  troops  were  subjected  to  Inces- 
sant artillery  fire  and  gas  from  both  banks  of  the  Meuse.  The 
resistance  of  the  enemy  to  the  attacks  of  the  First  American 
Army  between  that  river  and  the  Argonne  was  conspicuous  for 
its  desperation,  so  that  heavy  losses  were  entailed  in  driving 
him  from  the  exceptionally  strong  heights  which  he  had  forti- 
fied and  occupied  for  more  than  four  years. ^ 

On  September  27,  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  retained 
and  strengthened  its  positions  facing  the  Meuse  from  the  east- 
ern edge  of  the  Bois  de  Forges  opposite  Brabant^  to  the 
Laiterle  de  Belhame.^  The  arrival  there  that  evening  of  the 
319th  Infantry  of  the  80th  Division  afforded  protection  to  the 
left  flank  which  had  been  exposed  for  more  than  twenty-seven 
hours.* 

At  6  A.M.  the  headquarters  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade 
received  telephonic  Instructions  from  G-3  of  the  33rd  Division 
to  move  without  delay  to  positions  south  of  Gercourt-et-Dril- 
lancourt,  there  to  await  further  orders  and  to  reconnoitre 
thoroughly  the  area  held  by  the  80th  Division  with  a  view  to 
relieving  it.^     The  necessary  instructions  were  Issued  and  at 

84 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  85 

9  A.M.  the  129th  Infantry,  forming  the  head  of  the  column 
and  accompanied  by  Companies  A  and  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  began  its  advance  via  Esnes  and  Bcthincourt  to  the 
valley  south  of  Hill  281.  Here  the  brigade  P.  C.  was  estab- 
lished^ and  a  defensive  position  taken  by  the  regiment,  which 
sent  officers  and  noncommissioned  officers  to  reconnoitre  the 
positions  of  the  319th  Infantry  north  and  east  of  Dannevoux 
preparatory  to  relieving  the  80th  Division.'  The  129th  was 
followed  by  the  130th  Infantry,  which  left  Chattancourt  at 
7  A.M.  but,  upon  reaching  Esnes,  found  the  road  between  that 
point  and  Bethincourt  completely  blocked  and  was  compelled 
to  make  a  detour  by  a  trail  along  the  western  slope  of  the 
Mort  Homme.  As  this  movement  had  to  be  made  in  single 
file,  it  was  2  p.m.  before  that  regiment  reached  Bethincourt, 
where  it  resumed  its  march  in  normal  formation  and  took 
position  in  the  rear  of  the  129th  Infantry.^  It  was  followed 
by  the  battalion  P.  C.  and  Companies  C  and  D,  123rd  Ma- 
chine Gun  Battalion,  which  were  posted  on  the  southern  slope 
of  Hill  281,  where  they  were  rejoined  by  Companies  A  and 
B.^  The  transport  of  the  129th  Infantry,  forming  the  tail  of 
this  column,  was  caught  in  the  congestion  of  traffic  north  of 
Esnes  and  did  not  reach  its  destination  until  6  p.m.^° 

The  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  moved  one  battery  of 
the  308th  French  Regiment  of  heavy  artillery  to  the  Ravin 
des  Caurettes,  west  of  Cumieres,  sent  a  detachment  to  operate 
the  German  guns  captured  near  Drillancourt,  and  directed  the 
1st  Battalion,  104th  Field  Artillery,  to  proceed  at  7:30  P.M. 
from  La  Claire  to  new  positions  near  the  southwestern  corner 
of  the  Bois  de  Forges.  During  the  afternoon  and  evening  it 
participated  in  counterbattery  work  against  the  enemy  artil- 
lery,^^ which  had  been  quite  active  in  sheHing  the  Bois  de 
Forges,  Cumieres,  and  the  back  areas. ^^ 

Saturday,  September  28,  was  devoid  of  interesting  fea- 


86  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

tures  so  far  as  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  was  concerned. 
Patrols  were  sent  to  reconnoitre  the  Meuse  and  the  points  of 
crossing,  and  the  enemy  artillery  subjected  the  vicinity  of  the 
Bols  de  Forges  and  the  Cote  des  Grands-Pres  to  harassing 
fire.^^  Considerable  enemy  movement  was  also  observed  be- 
tween the  Bols  de  Brabant  and  Brabant,  and  the  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  kept  the  crossroads  in  the  town  under 
fire  from  9  until  1  A.M.,  incidentally  silencing  a  fieldpiece.^* 

There  were  no  changes  of  position  by  the  65th  Infantry 
Brigade  during  the  morning  and  most  of  the  afternoon, 
although  a  reconnaissance  In  the  region  of  the  Bois  de  Danne- 
voux  and  the  Bols  de  la  Cote  Lemont  was  made  by  the  regi- 
mental, battalion,  company,  and  platoon  commanders  of  the 
130th  Infantry  with  a  view  to  relieving  certain  units  of  the 
80th  Division."  At  2  :30  P.M.  a  warning  order  was  received 
from  Division  Headquarters  directing  the  brigade  to  "march 
at  once  to  the  Bois  d'en  Dela,  north  of  Hill  281,  where  it  will 
be  held  at  the  disposal  of  the  Comdg.  General,  III  Army 
Corps  as  Corps  Reserve. "^^  About  6  p.m.  this  movement 
began,  the  129th  Infantry  advancing  to  the  Bois  Sachet,  the 
130th  and  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battahon  to  the  Bois  d'en 
Dela.^'^  At  8:30  p.m.  orders  were  issued  for  the  relief  of  the 
80th  Division  that  night,  its  right  brigade  by  the  129th  In- 
fantry and  Company  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  and 
its  left  brigade  by  the  130th  Infantry  and  Company  C, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  while  Companies  A  and 
D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  were  to  constitute  the 
reserve  of  the  65th  Brigade. ^^  At  midnight  the  rehef  of  the 
right  sector  held  by  the  319th  Infantry  began  and  was  com- 
pleted at  8  A.M.  on  September  29;  but,  as  the  enemy  artillery 
fire  was  extremely  heavy  and  as  many  gas  shells  were  used,  this 
operation  was  attended  with  a  loss  of  nine  men  killed  and 
twenty-five  wounded. ^'^     The  relief  of  the  left  sector  of  the 


)^:     ^ 


^i^ 


DEMOLISHED   BRIDGE,   OLD   FORGES   CONSENVOYE   ROAD 


"^. 


FORCES    CRbhK     HOIK^M 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  87 

80th  Division  did  not  occur  that  night  owing  to  a  misunder- 
standing which  is  graphically  described  by  Colonel  Clinnin:-*^ 

At  22 :00  Hour  on  this  date,  verbal  orders  were  re- 
ceived from  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Brigade,  for  the 
130th  Infantry  to  relieve  the  320th  Infantry  in  the  line  in  the 
Bois-de-la-C6te-Lemont  and  the  Commanding  Officer, 
130th  Infantry,  reported  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  320th 
Infantry,  at  his  P.  C.  near  cross  roads  south  of  the  Bois-d'en 
Dela  where  he  was  informed  that  no  orders  had  been  re- 
ceived by  the  Commanding  Officer,  320th  Infantry,  for  a  re- 
lief and,  until  such  orders  were  received,  no  relief  would  take 
place.  Runners  were  arranged  to  bring  information  to  the 
Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  when  such  orders  were 
received  by  the  Commanding  Officer,  320th  Infantry,  and  the 
130th  Infantry  remained  in  bivouac  in  the  Bois-d'en-Dela  for 
the  night. 

5:20  A.M.  morning  of  29th  September,   1918,  informa- 
tion was  received  from  the  Commanding  Officer,  320th  In- 
fantry, that  orders  had  arrived  for  the  relief  and  that  said 
rehef  would  take  place  at  once. 
The  sequel  will  be  described  in  the  narrative  for  September  29. 

The  divisional  artillery  spent  a  quiet  morning  but  during 
the  afternoon  subjected  Brabant  and  the  road  leading  to  Mal- 
brouck  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  to  heavy  fire,  as  consid- 
erable enemy  movement  in  that  direction  had  been  observed. 
Two  appeals  for  assistance  were  received  from  the  80th 
Division,  one  being  responded  to,  the  other  communicated  to 
the  corps  artillery,  as  the  enemy  batteries  were  out  of  range. 
The  1st  BattaHon  of  the  105th  Field  Artillery  was  also  moved 
to  a  position  near  the  Tranchee  de  la  Roue.-^  The  108th 
Engineers  were  kept  busy  repairing  the  roads  in  the  forward 
area,  which  were  in  bad  condition,  and  in  building  bridges  and 
new  roads  across  No  Man's  Land.^- 

Sunday,  September  29,  was  another  day  of  inaction  on 
the  part  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  except  for  patrols  along 
the  Meuse  searching  for  good  points  of  passage  and  for  fre- 
quent enemy  artillery  fire  close  to  its  positions.^^ 


88  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

In  the  65th  Brigade,  the  129th  Infantry  completed  its 
relief  of  the  sector  of  the  right  brigade  of  the  80th  Division 
at  8  A.M.,  as  has  been  seen,  and  during  the  afternoon  was 
joined  by  Company  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  which 
occupied  the  positions  in  the  Bois  de  Dannevoux.  The  day 
was  devoted  to  consolidating  and  improving  the  sector. ^^  The 
relief  of  the  left  sector,  which  was  effected  by  the  130th 
Infantry,  began  after  5  :30  a.m.  but  was  not  finished  until 

2  :20  P.M.  for  the  reasons  already  alluded  to,  aggravated  by 
congestion  of  traffic  and  the  bad  condition  of  the  roads. -^  This 
regiment  was  joined  in  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont-*^  by  Com- 
pany C,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  while  Companies  A 
and  D  of  that  organization  remained  in  the  Bois  d'en  Dela  as 
the  brigade  reserve.-'^  The  artillery  of  the  80th  Division  was 
temporarily  retained  in  the  sector  but  at  the  disposal  of  the 
4th  Division,"^  while  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  in 
addition  to  firing  on  an  enemy  battery  and  requesting  counter- 
battery  work  by  the  corps  artillery  to  suppress  the  heavy  shell- 
ing to  which  the   132nd  Infantry  was  being  subjected  about 

3  P.M.,  supported  the  front  of  the  65th  Brigade  by  the  1st 
Battalion,  104th  Field  Artillery,  about  two  hours  later. -^  As 
a  matter  of  fact,  the  extreme  left  of  the  33rd  Division  was 
under  intense  enemy  fire,  mixed  with  gas  shells,  during  inter- 
vals on  the  night  of  September  29-30.^^ 

The  108th  Engineers  were  busily  occupied  constructing 
the  new  road  from  Cumieres  to  Raffecourt^^  and  in  effecting 
other  necessary  work,  in  which  they  were  assisted  by  a  detach- 
ment of  150  men  from  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion. ^- 

Monday,  September  30,  like  the  preceding  four  days, 
was  marked  by  overcast  skies,  occasional  rain,  mist,  and 
decidedly  cool  temperature  for  that  season. ^^  The  IlIrd  Corps 
made  virtually  no  progress  owing  to  the  resistance  of  the 
enemy,  whose  artillery  was  very  active  along  the  entire  front. 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  89 

In  the  sector  occupied  by  the  33rd  Division,  the  Cumieres 
road,  the  Bois  de  Forges  and  its  vicinity,  the  position  of  the 
131st  Infantry,  and  the  area  of  the  65th  Brigade  were 
heavily  shelled."^  The  divisional  artillery  was  therefore  kept 
busy  with  counterbattery  work.  In  the  case  of  certain  trench 
mortars  and  guns  which  were  beyond  its  range,  it  was  obliged 
to  send  requests  to  the  corps  artillery  for  support. ^^  The 
enemy  fire  was  not  confined  to  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse, 
both  the  131st  Infantry  and  a  regiment  of  the  French  18th 
Division  being  considerably  harassed;'^''  in  the  case  of  the 
latter,  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  appealed  to  for 
assistance. ^'^ 

The  usual  patrols  were  made  by  both  infantry  brigades, 
but  there  were  no  changes  of  position  beyond  the  occupation 
of  the  Bois  de  Septsarges  by  Company  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion. ^^  The  65th  Brigade  bent  its  efforts  to  organizing 
its  sector  in  accordance  with  the  plan  of  defense  formulated 
by  the  Ilird  Corps^^  on  September  25,^^  but  suffered  some 
casualties  from  the  heavy  shelling  and  gassing  to  which  it  was 
subjected. ^^  There  was  no  cessation  in  the  work  of  the  108th 
Engineers  and  the  new  road  from  Cumieres  to  Raffecourt  was 
fast  approaching  completion.^- 

Tuesday,  October  1,  1918,  was  rather  more  quiet,  but  a 
material  gain  was  made  by  the  Ilird  Corps  in  the  sector  of 
its  left  divisions.^^  The  enemy's  artillery  was  less  active, 
although  certain  spots  received  a  considerable  amount  of 
shelling.^*  The  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  had  a  compara- 
tively restful  day  in  consequence,  its  principal  operations  being 
confined  to  the  assumption  of  new  positions  near  the  Moulin 
de  Raffecourt  by  three  batteries  of  the  106th  Field  Artillery; 
the  departure  at  5  P.M.  of  the  212th  French  Regiment  of 
field  artillery,  which  had  been  withdrawn  by  the  llird  Corps 
and  which  proceeded  during  the  night  of  October  1-2  to  the 


90  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Bois  de  Nixeville  (Nord)  ;'*^  and  the  issuance  of  orders  to  the 
106th  Field  Artillery  to  support  the  attack  of  the  18th  French 
Division  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  next  morning.^^ 

There  were  no  changes  of  position  by  the  infantry  of  the 
33rd  Division,*'^  but  the  patrolling  of  the  Meuse  was  con- 
tinued^^ and  the  Machine  Gun  Company  attached  to  the  129th 
Infantry  indulged  for  a  short  period  in  harassing  fire  against 
enemy  strong  points, ^^  The  events  which  occurred  that  day 
in  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade  are  thus  described  by  its  com- 
mander : 

October  1st:  Arrangements  made  for  a  gas  projector 
attack  from  Subsector  occupied  by  the  129th  Infantry^^  on 
enemy  lines  in  vicinity  of  Vilosnes  night  lst/2nd  October. 
Unfavorable  wind  condition  prevented  the  carrying  out  of  this 
attack.  There  was  more  than  ordinarily  heavy  enemy  artillery 
action  this  date  from  the  vicinity  of  Sivry-sur-Meuse.  There 
was  an  enemy  gas  attack  on  Subsector  occupied  by  130th  In- 
fantry at  19:00  hours  which  was  ineffective  so  far  as  units  of 
this  Brigade  were  concerned,  but  was  carried  by  prevailing 
winds  toward  the  sector  of  the  4th  Division,  which  division 
was  immediately  notified.  The  work  of  taping  [sic]  the 
Main  Line  of  Resistance  in  the  130th  Infantry  Sector  was 
started.  Brigade  Defense  Scheme  was  issued,  providing  for 
brigade  sector  to  be  held  by  the  130th  Infantry  on  the  left, 
and  the  129th  Infantry  on  the  right  with  a  two-battalion 
front,  echeloned  in  depth,  in  two  positions,  with  the  Outpost 
Zone  garrisoned  by  the  strength  of  one  battalion  per  regiment 
and  the  Main  Line  of  Resistance  garrisoned  by  the  remaining 
battalions  of  each  Regiment  in  a  continuous  line,  the  troops 
distributed  in  depth,  leaving  a  sufficient  Barrage  Zone  unoccu- 
pied between  the  Outpost  Zone  and  the  Main  Line  of  Resist- 
ance. Work  on  Main  Line  of  Resistance,  in  accordance  with 
Scheme  of  Defense,  deferred  by  130th  Infantry  until  their 
position  became  better  settled. ^^ 

Wednesday,  October  2,  was  unmarked  by  any  advance 
on  the  part  of  the  Ilird  Corps  or  any  important  changes  of 
position  by  the  troops  of  the  33rd  Division.^-     The  enemy 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  91 

artillery,  comparatively  quiet  during  most  of  the  morning, 
grew  more  active  during  the  rest  of  the  day,  shelling  the  Ger- 
court-Drillancourt  road,  the  Bois  de  Forges  and  Forges  dur- 
ing the  afternoon,  and  subjecting  this  latter  village  and 
Cumieres  to  intermittent  fire  during  the  night. ^^  Shortly  after 
daybreak  the  104th  Field  Artillery  silenced  the  enemy  batteries 
which  had  put  down  a  barrage  on  the  65th  Infantry 
Brigade,  and  in  the  afternoon  the  howitzer  regiment — the 
106th — engaged  in  counterbattery  work  against  the  enemy 
guns  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse.^^  At  8  :1S  P.M.  this  regi- 
ment started  for  new  positions  east  of  Bethincourt,  but  the 
road  at  Cumieres  was  found  completely  blocked  and  the 
advance  had  to  be  abandoned  after  the  gun  carriages  left  at 
the  side  of  the  road  had  been  camouflaged  and  the  horses  sent 
back.^°  The  1st  Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery,  was  likewise 
in  movement  that  night  and  changed  its  batteries  from  the 
Moulin  de  Raffecourt  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Bois  Sachet.^® 

So  far  as  the  infantry  of  the  33rd  Division  was  con- 
cerned the  day  was  unimportant,^'^  save  in  the  sector  of  the 
65th  Brigade,  where  some  changes  were  made  in  the  129th  In- 
fantry^^  and  Company  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion 
harassed  the  enemy  in  retaliation  for  his  barrage. ^^  Other 
events  of  interest  that  Wednesday  are  thus  summarized  by  the 
brigade  commander  :^° 

October  2nd:  Heavy  enemy  gas  shelling  on  the  front 
of  the  129th  Infantry.  Smoke  screen  on  the  front  of  the 
130th  Infantry,  but  no  attack  followed.  1st  Battahon,  129th 
Infantry,  substituted  for  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  as 
Divisional  Reserve.  Regiments  directed  to  send  out  patrols 
along  the  River  Meuse  with  the  object  of  discovering  any 
routes  and  means  of  crossing  that  river.  Gas  projector  attack 
on  the  town  of  Vilosnes  at  23  :00  hours  by  the  First  Gas  Regi- 
ment successfully  carried  out.  Enemy  artillery  very  active 
this  date,  enfilading  our  positions  from  the  right  bank  of  the 


92  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

River   Meuse,    assisted  by   direct   observation    and    frequent 
registrations  of  fire  by  aeroplanes. 

October  3,  1918,  was  another  day  of  trench  routine  for 
the  troops  of  the  65th  and  66th  Infantry  Brigades. *^^  The 
enemy  artillery  continued  its  customary  harassing  fire,^^  to 
which  the  guns  of  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  supported 
from  time  to  time  by  the  corps  artillery,  responded.  At  1  P.M. 
the  102nd  Ammunition  Train  was  ordered  to  load  all  avail- 
able trucks  with  ammunition  and  to  proceed  posthaste  to  the 
4th  Division  at  Cuisy,^^  and  that  night  the  1st  Battalion, 
105th  Field  Artillery,  moved  forward  into  concealed  positions 
along  the  northwestern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont, 
but  was  heavily  shelled  and  gassed  in  the  operation,  as  well  as 
subjected  to  lively  machine-gun  and  rifle  fire.*^^  Companies 
A  and  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  likewise  advanced  to 
the  same  wood  during  the  course  of  the  night  of  October  3-4 
and  lost  twelve  men  in  this  movement. '^"^ 

These  movements  were  in  pursuance  of  the  warning 
orders  issued  about  3  P.M.  from  Division  Headquarters,  fol- 
lowed by  Field  Order  No.  28  at  10:15  p.m./^  all  based  upon 
Field  Order  No.  22,  Ilird  Corps,  which  had  been  received 
early  in  the  afternoon.  This  corps  order  announced  that  the 
First  American  Army  would  continue  its  attack  while  the 
Ilird  Corps  would  do  likewise  on  D  day  at  H  hour  with  its 
centre  and  left  divisions,  its  object  being  to  penetrate  the  Ger- 
man third  position  between  the  Meuse  and  Cunel  and  to  cap- 
ture the  heights  northeast  of  the  latter  place.  To  this  end  the 
80th  Division,  forming  the  left,  was  to  attack  along  the  Bois 
de  Ognons  and  the  4th  Division,  in  the  centre,  the  Bois  de 
Fays,  its  eastern  flank  protected  by  the  33rd  Division,  which 
was  to  hold  its  present  sector.  In  conformity  with  this  plan 
the  Commanding  General  of  the  33rd  Division  took  the 
necessary  dispositions,  the   most   essential   of  which  were   as 


C'U.MlHRliS-RAFFECOURT    ROAU,    CU.MONT    RAVINE 


^f'J^ 


COMPLETED   SECTION   OF   FORGES-BI   I  1 1 1  \  C< )  L  RT   ROAD 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  93 

follows:  The  132nd  Infantry  in  the  Forges  subsector  was  to 
be  relieved  that  night  and  was  directed  to  proceed  straight  to 
Malancourt  where  it  was  to  await  orders  and  form  part  of  the 
reserve  of  the  Ilird  Corps.  Its  sector  was  to  be  taken  over 
by  the  remaining  troops  of  the  66th  Brigade  and  Companies 
A  and  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  were  to  report  to 
the  Division  Machine  Gun  Officer  and  to  be  stationed  along 
the  northwestern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  during 
the  night  of  October  3-4  so  as  to  be  utihzcd  in  overcoming 
enemy  resistance  and  in  breaking  down  counterattacks  between 
the  Bois  de  Brieulles,  the  Bois  de  Foret,  and  BrieuUes-sur- 
Meuse.  Both  the  65th  and  the  66th  Brigades  were  charged 
to  be  on  the  alert  against  attack  and  the  former  was  to  estab- 
lish combat  Haison  with  the  4th  Division.  The  reserve  of  the 
33rd  Division  was  constituted  from  the  support  battalions  of 
the  129th  and  131st  Infantry  and  the  122ndMachineGun  Bat- 
talions in  their  present  positions.  The  artillery  was  to  neutral- 
ize the  enemy  guns  in  the  Bois  de  Chatillon,  the  Bois  des 
Sartelles,  and  the  two  ravines  east  of  Liny-devant-Dun,  and  to 
station  three  batteries  of  75s  along  the  northwestern  edge  of 
the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont. 

At  11:10  P.M.  announcement  was  m.ade  by  the  division 
P.  C.  that  "D"  day  would  be  October  4,  and  "H"  hour  at  5  :25 
hours,  French  time,  or  5  :25  A.M.,  American  time.*''^  All  the 
movements  prescribed  for  the  night  of  October  3-4  were 
executed  on  scheduled  time^^  except  that  of  the  two  companies 
of  the  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  which  was  delayed  by  a 
combination  of  circumstances  such  as  every  unit  experiences  in 
the  course  of  war.®'' 

On  Friday,  October  4,  1918,  the  First  American  Army 
wrested  from  the  enemy  more  ground  between  the  Argonne 
and  the  Meuse  than  on  any  other  single  day  since  its  attack 
on  September  26.'^*'    The  most  important  gains  were  effected 


94  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

by  the  Ilird  Corps,  which  pivoted  on  the  33rd  Division  im- 
mediately next  to  the  river  and  attacked  at  5  :25  A.M.  with  the 
4th  Division  in  the  centre  and  the  80th  Division  on  the  left. 

In  the  33rd  Division  the  withdrawal  from  the  Bois  de 
Forges  sector  of  the  132nd  Infantry — which  moved  that  day 
to  Malancourt,  where  it  passed  into  the  reserve  of  the  Ilird 
Corps — '''^necessitated  a  redistribution  of  the  131st  Infantry 
and  of  Companies  B  and  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
which  therefore  occupied  the  entire  sector  of  the  66th  Infantry 
Brigade  and  continued  the  usual  patrols  along  the  Meuse.'^^ 
Companies  A  and  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  reached 
their  new  positions  on  the  northwestern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la 
Cote  Lemont,  passed  under  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  and,  together  with  his  com- 
panies, supported  the  4th  Division  by  harassing  fire  against 
Brieulles  and  the  Tranchee  de  Teton,'^^  the  latter  of  which 
proved  such  a  stumbling-block  for  several  days.  Close  to 
them  were  two  batteries  of  the  105th  Field  Artillery  which 
remained  silent  throughout  the  day  pursuant  to  orders  from 
the  Ilird  Corps,  whereas  the  rest  of  the  divisional  artillery 
was  actively  employed  in  supporting  the  attack  of  the  4th 
Division  and  in  counterbattery  work  against  the  enemy's  guns 
east  of  the  Meuse.''^^ 

The  role  of  the  65th   Brigade  was   to   be   on   the    alert 

against  attacks  and  to  maintain  combat  liaison  with  the  4th 

Division  on  its  right.    Its  part  in  the  operation  of  the  day  is 

thus  epitomized  by  the  brigade  commander  r*^^ 

October  4th:  Third  Battalion  130th  Infantry  took  up 
new  location  as  Brigade  Reserve  in  trenches  near  Hill  281.''^° 
Hostile  balloon  brought  down  at  4:36  P.M.  Second  gas  pro- 
jector attack  planned  by  First  Gas  Regiment  on  the  town  of 
Vilosnes.  Preparatory  to  attack  planned  by  4th  Division 
morning  Oct.  5th  [should  be  4th],  combat  liaison  estab- 
lished between  130th  Infantry  and  the  regiment  of  the  4th 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  95 

Division  on  their  left.  Patrols  of  one  officer  and  34  men,  each, 
from  123rd  M.  G.  Bn.  and  124th  M.  G.  Bn.,  sent  out  to 
reconnoiter  and,  if  possible,  occupy  Teton  Trench,  returned, 
reporting  that  they  were  unable  to  accomplish  their  mission. 
Harassing  Machine  Gun  fire  concentrated  upon  the  town  of 
Brieulles  and  the  region  one  kilometer  northwest  of  that 
place. '^'^ 

Apart  from  the  issuance  of  two  confidential  memoranda"'® 
and  orders  to  carry  out  the  instructions  of  the  Ilird  Corps  in 
respect  to  the  reconnaissance  and  occupation  of  the  Tranchee 
de  Teton, ''^^  the  day  was  barren  of  interest  in  the  P.  C.  of  the 
33rd  Division  at  La  Hutte  in  the  Bois  Bourrus. 

Saturday,  October  5,  was  largely  devoted  by  the  Ilird 
Corps  to  consolidating  the  gains  made  the  day  before,^*'  but 
there  was  considerable  activity  on  the  part  of  the  Allied  artil- 
lery and  of  the  aeroplanes  on  both  sides. ^^  During  the  after- 
noon and  evening  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  busily 
employed  in  firing  on  Haraumont,  Liny-devant-Dun,  Brieulles, 
and  the  Tranchee  de  Teton  and  in  counterbattery  work  against 
the  German  guns  on  both  banks  of  the  Meuse.  There  were 
no  changes  of  position  by  its  units,  but  at  6:15  P.M.  the  2nd 
Battalion  of  the  308th  French  Regiment  of  heavy  artillery 
was  withdrawn  from  the  division^^  and  proceeded  to  the  Bois 
des  Sartelles  during  the  night. ®^  The  companies  of  the  123rd 
and  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalions  in  the  Bois  de  la  Cote 
Lemont  continued  their  harassing  fire  in  the  vicinity  of 
Brieulles, ^^  but  the  attempt  to  infiltrate  machine  guns  and 
automatic  rifles  into  the  Tranchee  de  Teton  failed,  the  enemy 
refusing  to  relinquish  possession. ^^ 

The  troops  of  the  66th  Brigade  holding  the  sector  along 
the  Meuse  had  an  uneventful  day  except  for  the  customary 
patrols  and  some  shelling  in  their  vicinity,  coupled  that  night 
with  a  few  bombs  dropped  in  various  parts  of  the  division 
area.^*'    The  132nd  Infantry  remained  at  Malancourt  as  part 


96  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

of  the  corps  reserve, ^'^  while  the  65th  Brigade  took  over 
part  of  the  front  facing  the  Meuse,  and  its  right  regiment, 
the  129th  Infantry,  suffered  374  casualties  as  a  result  of  the 
heavy  shelling  and  gassing  to  which  it  was  subjected  through- 
out the  day.^^ 

In  compliance  with  instructions  received  from  General 
Headquarters,  based  upon  the  decision  of  the  French  govern- 
ment, announcement  was  made  by  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Divi- 
sion that  "the  legal  time  will  be  retarded  at  midnight,  October 
fifth"  and  timepieces  were  accordingly  directed  to  be  set  back 
one  hour  at  midnight. ^^ 

Sunday,  October  6,  was  marked  by  no  advance  on  the 
part  of  the  Ilird  Corps,  which  continued  the  organization  of 
the  terrain  already  gained,^®  and  was  fairly  quiet  on  the 
whole.  The  enemy  artillery  indulged  in  its  customary  haras- 
sing fire,  shelling  various  points  in  the  area  of  the  33rd  Divi- 
sion, among  them  the  Bois  de  Forges  and  the  Cote  de  I'Oie, 
and  his  aeroplanes  were  likewise  rather  active.  The  AUied 
artillery  was  distinctly  active  during  the  day,^^  all  the  avail- 
able guns  of  the  Army  and  Ilird  Corps  concentrating  on  the 
enemy  batteries  in  the  Bois  de  Chatillon,  while  the  75s  of 
the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  devoted  their  attention  to  the 
Tranchee  de  Teton  and  BrieuUes^^  as  instructcd.^^  There 
were  no  changes  of  position  on  the  part  of  this  command  until 
evening,  when  the  2nd  Battalion,  104th  Field  Artillery,  moved 
from  La  Claire  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Moulin  de  Raffecourt  in 
proximity  to  the  1st  Battalion  of  that  regiment.^^  The  1st 
Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery,  remained  in  the  Bois  de  la 
Cote  Lemont  as  did  the  companies  from  the  123rd  and  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalions  which  supported  the  artillery  by 
harassing  fire  on  Brieulles,  the  ridge  northwest  of  that  place, 
and  the  Tranchee  de  Teton. ^^ 

To  the  troops  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  occupying 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  97 

the  sector  along  the  Meuse,  the  day  was  one  of  ordinary 
trench  routine,  with  the  usual  patrols  in  the  river  valley  and 
occasional  artillery  fire  from  the  enemy.^^  The  132nd  In- 
fantry remained  at  Malancourt  in  the  reserve  of  the  Ilird 
Corps,  but  its  3rd  Battalion  and  machine  gun  company  were 
attached  that  afternoon  to  the  4th  Division,  by  orders  from 
the  Ilird  Corps, ^'^  reported  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
59th  Infantry,  and  during  the  night  of  October  6-7  relieved 
the  58th  Infantry  and  a  battalion  of  the  59th  in  the  Bois  de 
Fays.^^  At  9:30  P.M.  orders  were  issued  by  the  Ilird  Corps 
returning  the  remainder  of  the  132nd  Infantry  to  the  33rd 
Division^''  but,  obviously,  they  were  not  received  until  the  fol- 
lowing day. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  operations  of  the 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  and  the  events  of  that  day 
which  concerned  the  infantry  of  the  65th  Brigade  are  thus 
described  by  its  commander  :^°° 

October  6th :  Order  of  Corps  Commander  to  neutral- 
ize the  Trench  de  Teton  by  Machine  Gun  and  Artillery  fire 
and  by  Infantry  raiding  parties  with  bayonets  and  bombs,  in 
order  to  protect  the  right  flank  of  brigade  troops  in  the  Bois 
de  Fays  from  danger  of  enemy  machine  gun  fire,  received 
and  carried  out.  Final  result  reported  October  7th.  Town 
of  Brieulles  on  immediate  left  of  Brigade  front  was  bombed 
by  20  Allied  planes  commencing  at  18:00  hours.  First  Bn. 
129th  Infantry  was  withdrawn  from  the  line  to  Regimental 
Reserve  [on]  account  [of]  long  continuous  service  in  the  line 
and  having  suffered  heavy  casualties  as  a  result  of  enemy 
artillery  activity  concentrated  upon  that  Regimental  Sector 
and  the  enemy  gas  attack  of  October  5th. ^°^  Commanding 
oflicer  130th  Infantry  made  request  for  detail  of  engineers  to 
remove  nitro-glycerine  charges  from  the  muzzles  of  7  cap- 
tured German  guns,  which  was  approved.  Orders  issued  to  all 
units  of  the  Brigade  to  insure  men  protecting  themselves  by 
proper  wearing  of  the  gas  mask  in  case  of  gas  attacks. 

Save  for  the  usual  routine  work  and  carrying  out  of  in- 


98  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

structions  from  higher  authority,  that  Sunday  was  without 
event  of  particular  interest  in  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division^®- 
until  the  receipt  of  an  order  issued  that  day  by  General 
Claudel,  commanding  the  17th  French  Army  Corps,  announ- 
cing that  the  33rdDivisionhad  beenplaced  under  his  command 
by  order  of  General  Pershing  and  that,  while  maintaining  its 
normal  defensive  mission  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Meuse,  it 
should  be  in  position  to  cooperate  in  an  offensive  action  by  the 
17th  Army  Corps  on  the  east  bank  "on  J  day  at  H  hour."^*^^ 
To  that  end  the  33rd  Division  was  directed  to  place  two  bat- 
talions in  the  southern  part  of  the  Bois  de  Forges  ready  to 
cross  at  Brabant  and  one  in  the  northern  part  preparatory  to 
crossing  at  Consenvoye,  the  exact  time  of  passage  to  depend 
upon  the  progress  of  the  attack  and  to  be  fixed  by  the  Com- 
manding General  of  the  18th  French  Division  (General  And- 
lauer)  who  would  be  in  charge  of  the  operations  on  the  left 
bank.  Of  engineers  there  were  to  be  one  or  two  companies  in 
the  region  of  Brabant-Consenvoye  ready  to  throw  bridges  for 
the  infantry.  The  artillery  formed  the  subject  of  a  separate 
order  which  prescribed  its  division  into  three  groups;  two  bat- 
talions of  75s  in  battery  south  of  the  Bois  de  Forges,  the  third 
in  the  direction  of  the  Cote  de  I'Oie  and  one  battalion  of  155s 
north  of  Chattancourt — the  whole  forming  one  group  under  a 
colonel  to  be  designated  by  the  Commanding  General  of  the 
33rd  Division — the  mission  of  which  was  to  protect  by  a 
rolling  barrage  the  attack  of  the  two  infantry  battalions 
debouching  from  Consenvoye. ^"^  To  insure  complete  unity  of 
action,  the  first  order  directed  that  the  infantry,  engineers,  and 
artillery  of  the  33rd  Division  participating  in  this  attack 
should  be  placed  "under  the  command  of  one  and  the  same 
chief."  These  two  communications  were  accompanied  by  a 
"Personal  and  Secret  Note  for  the  Generals  commanding  the 
29th  and  33rd  Divisions,  U.  S.,"  which  announced  that  "at 
the  moment  when  the  Normal  Objective  has  been  attained. 


BRIDGE^  FORGES  CREEK 


ROAD  OVER  FORGES  CREEK  BRIDGE 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  99 

the  American  units  will  begin  exploitation  in  the  U.  S.  zone," 
and  outlined  the  plan  under  which  this  exploitation  would  be 
effected.^"^ 

The  33rd  Division  was  likewise  placed  under  the  17th 
French  Army  Corps  by  virtue  of  Field  Order  No.  24  issued  by 
the  Ilird  Corps  that  day,  but  only  for  tactical  purposes  ;^^*^ 
for  administration  and  supply  it  was  retained  under  the  Ilird 
Corps  by  the  provisions  of  an  order  issued  at  midnight  that 
Sunday.^^" 

Monday,  October  7,  1918,  was  largely  devoted  by  the 
Ilird  Corps  to  holding  and  organizing  the  ground  already 
gained  and  to'  preparing  for  future  attack. ^^^  The  cloudy 
weather  which  had  persisted  for  days  rendered  aerial  observa- 
tion poor,  so  that  the  aeroplanes  on  both  sides  were  very  little 
in  evidence.  The  artillery  likewise  was  rather  quiet,  although 
there  was  some  spasmodic  firing  during  the  course  of  the  day 
and  the  enemy  shelled  the  neighborhood  of  Forges  with  gas 
from  10  P.M.  until  shortly  before  midnight. ^^^'^  The  52nd  Field 
Artillery  Brigade  was  comparatively  silent,^^**  but  preparations 
were  made  for  the  attack  next  day;^^^  and,  in  consequence 
thereof,  the  2nd  Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery,  moved  at 
nightfall  from  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  to  new  positions  on 
the  Cote  de  I'Oie.^^^  About  the  same  time  Companies  A  and 
D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  proceeded  from  the  former 
place  to  the  Bois  de  Forges,  where  they  arrived  about  9  P.M. 
and  rejoined  the  rest  of  their  command, ^^^  leaving  two  com- 
panies of  the  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  in  occupation  of 
the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont^^^  together  with  the  1st  Battalion, 
130th  Infantry.ii^ 

The  troops  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  occupying  the 
sector  along  the  Meuse  spent  the  day  preparing  for  the  attack 
of  the  morrow,  and  at  dark  the  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine 
Gun  Company,  131st  Infantry,  under  Major  Hamlet  C.  Ridg- 


100  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

way,  were  assembled  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Bois  de 
Forges  and  placed  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Abel  Davis, 
132nd  Infantry,  in  readiness  to  cross  the  river  at  Consenvoye 
next  day.ii^  The  commanding  officer  of  the  132nd  Infantry, 
having  received  from  the  Ilird  Corps  the  order  returning  his 
1st  and  2nd  Battalions  to  the  33rd  Division,^^'^  proceeded  with 
them  from  Malancourt  to  the  Bois  de  Forges.  There  he  was 
joined  during  the  course  of  the  evening  by  the  detachment 
from  the  131st  Infantry  just  mentioned  and  by  Companies  B 
and  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  the  former  of  which 
put  twelve  guns  in  position  on  the  ridge  north  of  the  Ravin  du 
Gue  Semette.  In  addition  to  these  troops  his  command  was 
comprised  of  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
which  reported  next  morning  at  eight  o'clock, ^^^  two  com- 
panies, 108th  Engineers,  which  were  busy  that  night,  as  they 
had  been  for  several  days,  getting  everything  into  readiness 
for  the  bridges  which  they  were  to  throw  opposite  Brabant 
and  Consenvoye;  the  1st  and  2nd  Battalion,  104th  Field 
Artillery,  in  the  southwestern  portion  of  the  Bois  de  Forges; 
the  2nd  Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery,  on  the  southern 
slopes  of  the  Cote  de  rOie;!^^  and  the  2nd  BattaHon,  106th 
Field  Artillery  ( 15S-millimeter  howitzers)  near  Chattancourt. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  attaching  of  the 
3rd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  to  the  4th  Division  and  to  its 
relief  of  the  58th  Infantry  and  one  battalion  of  the  59th 
Infantry  in  the  Bois  de  Fays  during  the  night  of  October 
5_7_i2o  'pj^g  position  thus  assumed  formed  a  salient,  with  the 
enemy  on  both  flanks  and  strongly  entrenched  in  the  Bois  de 
Maulamont  directly  in  front  of  it.  This  position  was  main- 
tained throughout  October  7  and  8,  the  patrols  in  constant 
contact  with  the  Germans  and  the  battalion  itself  subjected  to 
"intense  artillery  and  machine  gun  fire  from  both  flanks. "^-^ 

The  operations  of  the  infantry  of  the  65th  Brigade  were 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  101 

principally  confined  to  the  usual  trench  routine,  performed 
under  constant  artillery  fire  which  inflicted  a  large  number  of 
casualties  upon  the  129th  Infantry,^--  and  to  complying  with 
the  warning  order  just  received  from  the  division  P.  C.  rela- 
tive to  the  utilization  of  troops  of  that  regiment  in  the  ap- 
proaching operation  east  of  the  Meuse.^-^ 

Apart  from  the  customary  routine  work,^^*  the  P.  C.  of 
the  33rd  Division  at  La  Hutte  in  the  Bois  Bourrus  spent  a 
busy  day  in  formulating,  in  pursuance  of  the  orders  of  the 
17th  French  Army  Corps,  the  dispositions  for  the  impending 
attack.  These  were  communicated,  in  substance,  to  the  unit 
commanders  concerned  by  means  of  a  warning  order,  followed 
at  6  P.M.  by  Field  Order  No.  27  embodying  all  the  particulars 
and,  subsequently,  by  the  notification  that  "D"  day  had  been 
fixed  for  October  8  and  "H"  hour  at  5  A.M.^25  About  the 
middle  of  the  afternoon  the  Division  Commander  received  a 
visit  from  General  Andlauer,  commanding  the  18th  French 
Division,  under  whose  direction  the  attack  was  to  be  made 
next  day,  and  every  detail  was  found  to  be  thoroughly  under- 
stood.^^® 

During  the  course  of  the  preceding  narrative  frequent 
mention  has  been  made  of  the  troops  of  the  33rd  Division 
which  were  to  participate  in  this  operation,  the  purpose  of 
which  was  to  seize  and  hold  the  heights  of  the  Meuse  between 
that  river  and  the  Thinte  northeast  of  Beaumont.  The  initial 
attack  was  to  be  made  by  the  17th  Army  Corps^^'^  with  the 
18th  French  Division  on  the  west  and  the  26th  French  Divi- 
sion on  the  east,  the  former  reenforced  by  four  Senegalese 
battalions,  the  latter  by  two.  The  mission  of  the  18th  Divi- 
sion, to  which  the  58th  Brigade  of  the  29th  American 
Division  was  attached,  was  to  seize  the  observatories  of 
Haumont,  Ormont,  and  the  ridge  of  Malbrouck;  the  26th 
French  Division  was  to  get  possession  of  the  Bois  des  Caures 


102  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

and  the  village  of  Flabas;  the  10th  French  Colonial  Division 
was  destined  to  protect  the  attack  of  the  26th  Division  and  to 
be  prepared  to  seize  the  ridge  of  Caurieres  and  the  southern 
part  of  I'Herbebois;  while  the  15th  French  Colonial  Division 
maintained  its  usual  defensive  mission  on  the  extreme 
right. ^"^  The  normal  objective  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  was 
fixed  at  the  line  Flabas  (exclusive),  Crepion  (exclusive), 
southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la  Reine,  Consenvoye  (exclu- 
sive), and,  until  it  had  been  attained,  the  33rd  Division  was 
to  continue  its  defensive  mission  on  the  west  bank  of  the 
Meuse.  When  the  18th  and  26th  French  Divisions  had  gained 
the  normal  objective,  their  success  was  to  be  exploited  by  that 
part  of  the  33rd  Division  which  was  destined  to  cross  to  the 
east  bank  and  by  the  58th  American  Brigade  which  was  to  be 
introduced  between  the  33rd  American  and  the  18th  French 
Division. ^^^  The  first  exploitation  objective  of  the  corps  was 
defined  by  the  line  Flabas  (inclusive),  Crepion  (exclusive), 
Bois  d'Etrayes,  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  while 
the  second  exploitation  objective  comprised  Flabas  (inclu- 
sive), Crepion  (exclusive),  Bois  d'Etrayes  (inclusive),  Bois 
de  la  Grande  Montagne  and  Sivry-sur-Meuse.^^°  The  57th 
Brigade  of  the  29th  American  Division  under  Major  General 
Charles  G.  Morton,  was  to  remain  with  the  corps  reserve, 
since  the  fan-shaped  terrain  where  the  attack  was  to  take  place 
did  not  permit  the  29th  Division,  which  had  not  yet  been  In 
action,  to  be  utilized  in  its  entirety  until  the  advance  had  pro- 
gressed beyond  the  normal  objective.  The  Ilird  Corps  was  to 
assist  in  this  operation  by  a  simultaneous  attack  west  of  the 
Meuse^^^  but,  inasmuch  as  the  principal  operation  was  to  occur 
on  the  east  bank,  the  26th  American  Division  (Major  General 
Clarence  R.  Edwards),  which  formed  part  of  the  reserve  of 
the  First  Army,  was  stationed  at  Verdun. 

To  insure  concerted  action  between   It   and   the  "French 


WEST  BANK  OF  THE  MEUSE  103 

forces  across  the  Meuse  every  precaution  had  been  taken  by 
the  33rd  Division.  All  details  in  respect  to  infantry  move- 
ments, artillery  support,  bridges  to  be  built  at  Brabant  and 
Consenvoye,  engineering  work  to  be  performed, ^^-  and  liaison 
to  be  maintained,  had  been  thoroughly  arranged  by  means  of 
frequent  conferences  between  the  officers  of  the  33rd  Division 
on  one  hand  and  those  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  and  the  18th 
French  Division  on  the  other. ^^^  A  cable  had  been  laid  across 
the  Meuse^^*  and,  on  the  night  of  October  7-8,  everything 
was  in  readiness  for  the  attack. ^^^ 


V.     OPERATIONS     WITH     THE     17TH     FRENCH 

ARMY  CORPS  ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE, 

OCTOBER  8  TO  OCTOBER  15,  1918 

At  5  A.M.  on  Tuesday,  October  8,  1918,  the  attack  of  the 
17th  French  Army  Corps  began  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse 
without  preliminary  artillery  preparation.^  While  the  15th 
and  10th  Colonial  Divisions  on  the  east  maintained  a  defen- 
sive attitude,  the  26th  and  18th  French  Divisions  were 
launched  in  a  direction  approximately  north-northeast.  The 
latter,  which  formed  the  left  of  the  attack  at  its  opening, 
jumped  off  at  the  zero  hour  from  its  trenches  east  of  Samog- 
neux  and,  as  it  advanced,  the  battalions  of  the  58th  Infantry 
Brigade  (29th  Division),  which  had  been  assembled  along  the 
Meuse  Canal, ^  came  into  their  allotted  positions  on  its  left.^ 
This  delicate  operation  was  effected  with  remarkable  smooth- 
ness and  precision.  Although  the  enemy  flooded  Cote  344 
with  gas  shells  within  the  first  hour,  he  was  evidently  unpre- 
pared for  such  a  manoeuvre  and  at  7  :20  A.M.  his  customary 
artillery  reaction  had  not  occurred.^  Pushing  forward  toward 
their  respective  objectives,^  the  French  and  Americans  crossed 
near  Brabant,  the  road  leading  northeast  from  that  place,  and 
shortly  before  8  A.M.  the  58th  Infantry  Brigade  reached  the 
Tranchee  de  Balis.  Upon  receiving  a  report  to  this  effect. 
General  Andlauer  requested  the  Commanding  General  of  the 
33rd  Division  to  order  the  leading  battalion  of  the  132nd 
Infantry  to  cross  the  Meuse  at  Brabant.^ 

Meanwhile  the  engineers  had  been  hard  at  work  per- 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  105 

forming  a  task  of  extreme  difficulty.  During  the  night  of 
October?— 8,  those  of  the  18th  French  Division  had  constructed 
a  bridge  over  the  canal  at  Samogneux;  the  engineers  of  the 
17th  Army  Corps  had  built  a  pontoon  bridge  over  the  Meuse 
at  Regneville  ;'^  and  the  108th  Engineers  of  the  33rd  Division 
had  everything  in  readiness  to  throw  passages  for  infantry 
over  the  river  and  canal  opposite  Brabant  and  Consenvoye.  At 
dawn  on  October  8  this  work  was  begun  and  pushed  at  top 
speed,  despite  the  fact  that  the  material  had  to  be  carried  and 
put  into  place  under  direct  enemy  observation  in  broad  day- 
light, and  the  construction  effected  under  heavy  artillery  fire 
averaging  ninety  shells  an  hour — many  of  them  gas  shells,  so 
that  masks  had  to  be  worn  during  part  of  the  time.  The  maxi- 
mum depth  of  water  near  Brabant  was  12  feet  and  the  bridge 
was  120  feet  in  length;  near  Consenvoye  the  maximum  depth 
of  water  was  16  feet  and  the  bridge  156  feet  long,  the  latter 
requiring  five  and  a  half  hours  of  work  to  finish.  Notwith- 
standing the  difficulties  and  casualties  involved,  the  construc- 
tion progressed  without  interruption  and  with  such  rapidity 
that  both  bridges  were  finished  on  scheduled  time.  The  main 
bridge  at  Consenvoye,  which  had  been  partly  destroyed,  was 
then  reestablished  and  important  repairs  were  made  on  the 
Brabant-Consenvoye  road,  both  operations  being  carried  on 
under  heavy  shell  fire.^ 

The  108th  Field  Signal  Battalion  showed  similar 
efficiency  under  equal  handicaps.  During  the  night  of  October 
7—8  a  telephone  cable  was  laid  across  the  marshes,  river,  and 
canal  of  the  Meuse;  but  at  daybreak  one  working  party  was 
fired  upon,  attacked,  and  part  of  It  captured.  The  necessary 
work  had  been  successfully  performed,  however,  so  that  there 
was  no  interruption  in  the  communication  between  both  banks 
and,  by  a  lucky  chance,  the  Americans  who  had  been  made 
prisoners  were  recaptured  later  In  the  day.^ 


106  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

Upon  receipt,  about  8  A.M.,  of  the  instructions  from  the 
Commander  of  the  18th  French  Division — to  which  allusion 
has  been  made — the  necessary  orders  were  sent  from  the  P.  C. 
of  the  33rd  Division  to  Colonel  Abel  Davis. ^"  At  9  A.M.  the 
1st  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  were  accordingly  set 
in  motion  from  the  southern  part  of  the  Bois  de  Forges, 
crossed  the  Meuse  on  the  newly  constructed  bridge  near  Bra- 
bant,^^  and  formed  just  north  of  that  village  on  a  line  running 
east  and  west,  the  2nd  Battalion  on  the  right,  the  1st  on  the 
left.^^  The  effectiveness  of  employing  machine  guns  in  inti- 
mate conjunction  with  the  infantry  had  been  strikingly  demon- 
strated by  the  33rd  Division  in  its  attack  on  September  26.^^ 
Profiting  by  this  experience,  accordingly,  Company  A,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  was  posted  on  the  right  of  the  2nd 
Battalion^^  and  Company  D  on  the  left  of  the  1st  Battalion. ^^ 
Each  battalion  had  also  sections  of  trench  mortars  and  37- 
millimeter  guns  attached  to  it.  The  2nd  Battalion,  131st  In- 
fantry, which  was  to  form  the  support,  was  left  in  the  north- 
ern portion  of  the  Bois  de  Forges,  inasmuch  as  it  was  destined 
to  cross  at  Consenvoye,  and  was  similarly  provided,  the  ma- 
chine gun  company  of  the  same  regiment  being  attached  to 
it.^*^  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  which  had 
put  twelve  guns  in  position  north  of  the  Ravin  du  Gue  Semette 
during  the  night  of  October  7-8,  remained  on  the  left  bank 
to  cooperate  with  the  artillery  in  covering  the  attack  east  of 
the  Meuse, ^'^  while  Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, was  retained  with  the  other  battalions  of  the  131st  In- 
fantry occupying  the  sector  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade 
along  the  river. ^^ 

At  10:15  A.M.  it  was  reported  that  the  18th  French  Divi- 
sion had  experienced  great  difficulty  in  its  progress  through 
the  Bois  d'Haumont  on  account  of  enemy  wire  and  machine 
guns  and  that  its  schedule  was  therefore  delayed  one  hour. 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  107 

On  its  left  the  58th  American  Infantry  Brigade  was  reported 
to  be  in  possession  of  the  Balis  and  Anatolie  Trenches  and  of 
Malbrouck,  its  first  objective,  and  to  have  reached  the  south- 
ern edge  of  the  Bois  de  Brabant. ^^  At  11  a.m.  the  1st  and 
2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  together  with  the  two  ma- 
chine gun  companies  operating  with  them — the  entire  force  in 
line  of  combat  groups  preceded  by  scouts — began  their  ad- 
vance toward  the  normal  objective  assigned  to  them;  namely, 
the  road  running  from  Consenvoye-"  northeast  to  the  northern 
edge  of  the  Bois  de  Conscnvoye.  The  movement  had  scarcely 
commenced  when  both  flanks  came  under  enemy  machine-gun 
fire,  the  right  from  the  southwestern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Con- 
scnvoye, the  left  from  the  village  of  Consenvoye.  This 
menace,  which  was  decidedly  unexpected  inasmuch  as  it  had 
been  assumed  that  this  region  had  been  thoroughly  mopped 
up  by  the  troops  ahead,  was  promptly  met  by  dispatching  to 
either  flank  combat  groups  of  half  platoons,  with  automatic 
riflemen  in  the  lead.  By  this  method  the  hostile  machine-gun 
nests  were  engaged  and  their  fire  confined  against  the  flanks 
while  the  line  continued  its  advance.-^  The  enemy  in  addition 
used  anti-tank  guns  against  the  troops  and  a  number  of  casual- 
ties were  sustained;  but,  at  12:30  p.m.,  the  normal  objective 
was  reached  and  the  lines  were  re-formed  pending  the  receipt 
of  orders  for  a  resumption  of  the  advance  to  the  first  exploi- 
tation objective. ^- 

Meanwhile,  the  progress  of  the  58thlnfantry Brigade  had 
been  temporarily  held  up  near  Malbrouck,  but  at  1  :50  p.m. — 
after  examining  a  map  dropped  by  an  aviator  near  P.  C.  Nep- 
tune, which  showed  the  left  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  in  posi- 
tion from  Consenvoye  to  the  Bois  de  Consenvoye — the  Com- 
mander of  the  18th  Division  gave  instructions  that  the  third 
battalion  from  the  33rd  Division  cross  immediately  at  Con- 
senvoye and  that  the  entire  force  push  forward,  under  the 


108  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

protection  of  its  artillery,  from  the  normal  objective  to  the 
first  exploitation  objective  north  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume.^^  In 
conformity  therewith,  the  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun 
Company,  131st  Infantry,  left  the  northern  part  of  the  Bois  de 
Forges,  crossed  the  Meuse  by  the  newly-completed  foot- 
bridge, and  took  position  in  support  of  the  two  battalions  of 
the  132nd  Infantry.  The  sequel  is  thus  described  by  Colonel 
Davis.24 

At  3  :00  P.M.  the  order  came  to  make  the  advance  at 
4  P.M.  Accordingly,  the  battalions  started  off  under  the  pro- 
tection of  a  rolling  barrage, ^^  keeping  300  meters  in  the  rear 
of  the  barrage.  The  advance  proceeded  without  much  opposi- 
tion until  darkness  when  the  attacking  battalions  at  the  south 
edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume  there  halted  and  dug-in  for  the 
night.2« 

The  consolidation  was  effected  in  echelon  by  the  2nd  Bat- 
talion, 132nd  Infantry,  on  the  right,  one  hundred  meters  south 
of  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  and  by  the  1st 
Battalion,  on  the  left,  about  seven  hundred  meters  northeast 
of  Consenvoye,  while  the  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  took 
position  on  the  Consenvoye-Richene  road,  south  of  the  Bois 
de  Chaume,  in  support. ^'^  The  line  of  the  17th  Army  Corps 
extended  that  evening  from  these  positions  across  the  western 
edge  of  the  Bois  de  Consenvoye  and  north  of  Malbrouck 
through  points  5996  and  6596  in  the  Bois  de  Brabant  to  the 
Ravin  de  Walonsevaux,  where  the  right  of  the  58th  Infantry 
Brigade  rested.  Thence  it  ran  northeast  to  point  6901,  where 
it  bent  sharply  southeast  through  the  Ormont  Ferme,  the  ob- 
servation post  south  of  the  Bois  d'Ormont  and  the  northern 
edge  of  the  Bois  d'Haumont,  turned  east  and  slightly  north  to 
the  northwestern  corner  of  the  Bois  des  Caures,  where  it  swung 
abruptly  south  through  Cote  329  to  the  wood  of  La  Wavrille 
northeast  of  Beaumont.'^  This  front  was  a  mixture  of  the 
intermediate  and  normal  objectives,  coupled  with  certain  posi- 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  109 

tions  in  advance  of  the  latter  line.  So  far  as  the  troops  of  the 
66th  Brigade  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  were  concerned, 
their  operation  that  Tuesday  had  been  a  complete  success,-^ 
and  their  position  at  nightfall  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume 
and  the  first  exploitation  objective  conformed  to  the  intentions 
of  General  Andlauer,  who  purposed  to  utilize  them  as  the 
pivot  on  the  left  for  the  manoeuvres  during  the  succeeding 
days.^° 

The  position  of  the  33rd  Division  astride  the  Meuse  was 
distinctly  delicate,  as  such  positions  invariably  are,  particularly 
in  view  of  the  extensive  marshes  on  both  sides  of  the  river  and 
the  canal,  the  limited  number  of  bridges  available  near  the 
front,  the  difficulty  of  rapid  communication,  and  the  fact  that 
the  enemy  artillery  and  machine  guns  on  the  heights  north  and 
east  of  Sivry-sur-Meuse  completely  dominated,  not  only  the 
open  ground  adjacent  to  the  right  bank,  but  the  American  posi- 
tions on  the  left  bank  for  a  considerable  distance  below  Danne- 
voux.  It  was  therefore  essential  that  the  ground  gained  on 
the  east  bank  be  securely  held,  lest  a  retirement  by  the  troops 
there  expose  the  right  flank  of  those  on  the  opposite  bank  and 
oblige  them  to  withdraw,  thereby  in  turn,  imperiling  the  right 
of  the  Ilird  American  Corps.  Accordingly,  every  measure 
was  taken  by  the  Commander  of  the  33rd  Division  to  guard 
against  such  an  eventuality  and  to  be  in  readiness  to  support 
his  forces  on  the  east  bank  at  a  moment's  notice. 

With  this  purpose  in  view,  orders  were  sent  that  after- 
noon to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  131st  Infantry  to  con- 
centrate the  1st  and  3rd  Battalions  of  his  regiment  on  the 
edges  of  the  Bois  de  Forges  ready  to  act  as  a  reserve  for  the 
troops  on  the  east  bank  in  case  of  emergency.  This  order  was 
promptly  carried  out,^^  but  there  were  no  further  changes  that 
day  or  night  in  their  position  nor  in  the  positions  of  Com- 


110  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

panies  B  and  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  in  the  sector  of 
the  66th  Brigade  west  of  the  Meuse.^- 

So  far  as  active  operations  went,  the  day  was  compara- 
tively quiet  for  the  65th  Brigade,  since  orders  had  been  re- 
ceived to  refrain  from  further  raids  or  attacks  on  the 
Trenchee  de  Teton, ^^  The  129th  Infantry,  which  formed  the 
right  and  occupied  the  sector  in  the  bend  of  the  Meuse  from 
above  Dannevoux  to  a  point  opposite  Vilosnes,  supported  by 
Company  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  had  another 
costly  day,  losing  178  officers  and  men  from  heavy  shelling 
and  gassing.  That  night  its  3rd  Battalion  and  Machine. Gun 
Company,  sent  to  reenforce  the  troops  on  the  east  bank, 
crossed  at  Consenvoye  and  reached  their  destination  at  2  A.M. 
on  October  9."'*  The  sector  west  of  the  129th  was  held  by  the 
130th  Infantry  and  Company  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, their  left  terminating  at  the  farther  edge  of  the  Bois 
de  la  Cote  Lemont  which,  as  well  as  Hill  281,  was  occupied 
by  Companies  A  and  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battahon.^^  The 
3rd  Battalion  of  the  130th  constituted  the  brigade  reserve  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  brigade  P.  C.  at  Hill  281,  south  of  Ger- 
court-et-Drillancourt.^^ 

The  divisional  artillery  was  comparatively  silent  through- 
out the  day,  although  the  1st  Battalion,  106th  Field  Artillery 
(155-millimeter  howitzers),  engaged  in  harassing  fire  against 
the  Bois  de  Chaume  from  8  :40  A.M.  until  3  p.m.,  incidentally 
devoting  some  attention  to  enemy  machine  guns  in  the  open 
ravine  between  that  v/ood  and  the  Bois  de  Consenvoye. ^^  On 
the  other  hand,  the  group  under  Colonel  Smith,  106th  Field 
Artillery,^*^  was  kept  well  occupied.  At  5  a.m.  the  2ndBattalion, 
105th  Field  Artillery  (75-mIllimeter  guns),  joined  with  the 
French  guns  in  barrages  on  sensitive  points,  lifting  as  the 
infantry  attack  progressed;  about  noon,  however,  its  fire 
ceased.^^    At  4  p.m.,  the  time  set  for  the  advance  of  the  troops 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  111 

of  the  33rd  Division  from  the  normal  objective,  rolling  and 
standing  barrages  were  laid  down  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Meuse  for  two  hours  by  the  75s, ^°  together  with  accompanying 
fire  by  the  "heavies"  for  an  hour  and  thirty-five  minutes. ^^ 
The  enemy  was  evidently  on  the  alert,  since  he  pounded  the 
Bois  de  Forges  with  75s  and  155s  from  1  :30  to  4  A.M.  Dur- 
ing the  attack  that  morning,  however,  his  artillery  reaction 
was  rather  weak,  probably  owing  to  the  superiority  of  the  six 
hundred  guns  at  the  disposal  of  the  17th  Army  Corps,  but  in 
the  course  of  the  afternoon  he  showed  decided  activity  in 
counterbarrages  and  in  harassing  fire  along  the  lines  of  com- 
munications.''- The  Allies  retaliated  however,  with  a  continu- 
ous fire  of  their  heavy  and  long-range  guns  throughout  the 
night  of  October  8. 

During  the  evening  the  Commander  of  the  17th  Army 
Corps  issued  his  orders  for  the  ensuing  day,  directing  that 
advantage  be  taken  of  that  night  to  hold  the  ground  already 
gained,  particularly  the  Bois  d'Haumont,  to  reorganize  the 
units  and  reserves,  and  to  rectify  the  positions  of  the  troops, 
which  were  to  be  echeloned  in  depth.  Announcement  was  made 
that  the  attack  would  be  resumed  at  8  :30  A.M.  on  October  9, 
and  emphasis  was  laid  upon  the  urgency  for  progress  along 
the  crest  of  Hill  338  north  of  Malbrouck,  to  the  north  and 
northwest  of  the  Bois  de  Consenvoye,  at  the  Bois  d'Ormont 
and  in  the  direction  of  Flabas — the  purpose  of  the  last  being 
to  clean  up  the  terrain  between  the  Bois  d'Haumont  and  the 
Bois  des  Caures.  The  right  flank  of  the  corps  was  to  be  pro- 
tected by  the  26th  and  10th  Colonial  Divisions  (French), 
while  the  57th  Brigade  (29th  American  Division)  was  re- 
tained in  the  corps  reserve,  with  one  regiment  and  a  machine 
gun  battalion  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Meuse  In  the  zone  of 
Brabant-Samogneux  and  a  like  force  on  the  Cote  de  I'Oie.^^ 

It  was  quite  late  when  this  order  reached  the  P.  C.  of  the 


112  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

33rd  Division,  so  that  it  was  not  until  1 1 :45  P.M.  that  Field 
Order  No.  28  was  issued.  It  embodied  all  the  above  which 
pertained  to  the  division  but  fixed  the  beginning  of  the 
exploitation  at  6  A.M.,  when  the  artillery  was  to  lay  down  a 
standing  barrage  which  was  to  roll  forward  at  6  :40  A.M.  It 
likewise  directed  that  the  battalion  of  the  129th  Infantry, 
already  placed  at  the  disposal  of  Colonel  Davis,  cross  to  the 
east  bank  that  same  night,  and  it  put  special  stress  upon  the 
necessity  for  care  in  protecting  the  right  flank  and  in  maintain- 
ing liaison  between  it  and  the  troops  of  the  29th  Division.^"* 

On  Wednesday,  October  9,  1918,  at  6  A.M.,  a  standing 
barrage  fired  by  the  artillery  group  under  Colonel  Smith  came 
down  in  front  of  troops  of  the  33rd  Division,  which  had  spent 
the  previous  night  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Meuse  south  of 
the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  along  the  Consenvoye-Richene 
road.^^  Both  battalions  and  the  two  machine  gun  companies 
operating  with  them  then  formed  three  hundred  meters  in  its 
rear  and  at  6  :40  A.M.,  when  this  barrage  began  to  roll  for- 
ward,^°  the  infantry  started  to  advance.  The  1st  Battalion, 
132nd  Infantry,  and  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, on  the  left,  moved  nearly  parallel  to  the  Consenvoye- 
Sivry-sur-Meuse  road  over  the  open  ground  and  along  the 
slopes  which  skirt  the  east  bank  in  this  sector.  Although  under 
heavy  fire  from  enemy  artillery  and  machine  guns,  and 
although  several  times  held  up,  no  unusual  obstacles  were 
encountered;  under  the  protection  of  a  double  barrage  and 
accompanying  fire  from  the  guns  of  their  own  artillery 
group, ^'^  at  1 1  A.M.  they  reached  the  first  exploitation  objec- 
tive, which  ran  from  a  point  nearly  opposite  Dannevoux  to 
the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume.  Strong  combat 
patrols  were  sent  forward  toward  the  second  exploitation 
objective,  about  one  kilometer  farther  north,  and  the  troops 
began  to  dig  in."*® 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  113 

The  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  and  Company  A, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  on  the  right,  experienced  much 
greater  difficulties.  Upon  reaching  the  middle  of  the  Bois  de 
Chaume  these  units  met  stout  opposition  from  the  enemy, 
whose  well-served  machine  guns  inflicted  some  losses  upon 
them  and  delayed  their  progress  until  they  fell  behind  their 
proper  alignment  with  the  units  on  the  left.  In  spite  of  the 
thick  woods,  dense  underbrush,  and  incessant  machine-gun  fire 
from  the  east  and  northeast,  their  advance  continued, 
although  somewhat  slowly.  Progress  became  increasingly 
difficult,  owing  to  the  constantly  augmented  volume  of 
machine-gun  fire  against  the  right  flank,  coming,  apparently, 
from  the  sector  through  which  the  58th  Infantry  Brigade 
(29th  Division)  was  presumed  to  be  advancing.'*^  The  2nd 
Battalion  and  the  machine  gun  company  operating  with  it 
pushed  on,  nevertheless,  and  eventually  reached  the  first 
exploitation  objective  at  1 1  :55  A.M.,  nearly  one  hour  after  the 
arrival  of  the  troops  forming  the  left.  Both  detachments  then 
sent  out  strong  combat  patrols  toward  the  second  objective 
and  proceeded  to  dig  in.^^ 

The  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  131st 
Infantry,  which  constituted  the  support,  upon  reaching  its 
allotted  position,  detached  one  company  to  cover  the  right 
flank  while  the  other  dug  in  a  short  distance  in  the  rear  of  the 
2nd  Battalion. ^1 

As  soon  as  the  barrage  lifted,  the  combat  patrols  from 
both  the  front  line  battalions  advanced  to  the  second  exploi- 
tation objective,  which  in  that  sector  followed  approximately 
the  road  from  Sivry-sur-Meuse  to  the  Villeneuve  Ferme.  The 
intervening  ground  was  without  cover,  save  for  a  few  scatter- 
ing copses,  and  considerable  opposition  was  encountered,  par- 
ticularly by  the  patrols  from  the  2nd  Battalion  on  the  right.  A 
number  of  machine-gun  nests  and  small  groups  of  the  enemy 


114  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

had  to  be  reduced  to  submission,  but  ultimately  these  combat 
patrols  attained  the  second  exploitation  objective.  Just  as 
they  reached  this  line  the  dense  fog  lifted;  to  the  amazement 
of  both  sides,  the  fronts  were  seen  to  be  only  about  fifty  meters 
apart.  The  enemy  quickly  fell  back  several  hundred  yards  but 
left  some  machine  guns  in  his  main  line  of  defense.^- 

The  situation  of  these  forces  and  the  conditions  confront- 
ing them  are  thus  graphically  described  by  Colonel  Davis  :^^ 

Throughout  the  advance  from  the  normal  to  the  second 
objective  our  right  battalion  looked  in  vain  for  liaison  with 
the  Division  on  our  right. ^'^  Under  orders,  our  troops  were  to 
attempt  to  reach  their  second  objective  independently  of  the 
action  of  the  troops  on  our  right.  On  reaching  the  final 
objective  it  became  certain  that  the  troops  on  our  right  failed 
entirely  to  advance  from  the  normal  objective.  In  fact  the 
troops  on  our  right  had  even  failed  to  reach  the  normal  ob- 
jective.-"^^  This  situation  left  an  exposed  flank  on  our  right  of 
approximately  2,000  meters.  The  enemy  took  advantage  of 
the  situation  by  pressing  hard  against  our  right  flank,  filtering 
through  the  gap  left  open  by  the  failure  of  the  troops  on  our 
right  to  advance.  The  activity  of  small  groups  of  the  enemy 
was  followed  by  a  counter-attack  directed  against  the  exposed 
right  flank.  The  employment  of  the  battalion  in  support  and 
the  two  companies  on  the  extreme  right  flank  was  not  sufficient 
to  overcome  the  counter-attack  and  hold  the  line  at  the  same 
time.  It  became  necessary  to  bend  the  right  flank  in  an  effort 
to  connect  up  with  the  extreme  left  of  the  Division  on  our 
right.  In  the  counter-attack  the  enemy  employed  Infantry^*^ 
assisted  by  machine  guns,  played  quite  heavily  v/ith  his  artil- 
lery on  our  lines  and  used  a  large  number  of  airplanes  which 
were  flying  low  and  firing  directly  at  our  troops.  The  enemy 
failed  to  break  up  our  lines.  He  was  repulsed  after  inflicting 
many  casualties  on  us  and  sustaining  more  himself.  '  The  line 
was  then  re-organized  with  the  extreme  right  flank  resting  on 
the  line  of  the  normal  objective. ^"^  The  left  flank  remaining 
on  the  second  exploitation  objective. ^^ 

That  night  it  was  decided  to  em.ploy  another  regiment  in 
an  advance  to  the  second  exploitation  objective  in  cooperation 
with  the  Division  on  our  right,  which  was  to  make  another 


IVITH  THE  FRENCH  115 

effort  in  the  advance  in  which  it  failed  that  day.  Accordingly 
an  attack  was  delivered  the  following  morning  through  our 
lines.  Our  troops  retired  and  formed  the  reserve  for  the 
troops  ahead  of  us. 

At  the  close  of  the  fighting  that  day  the  front  of  the  17th 
Army  Corps  ran  from  a  point  five  hundred  meters  south  of 
Sivry-sur-Meuse  along  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de 
Chaume,  through  the  Bois  Boussois,  the  Bois  de  MoUeville, 
the  Ferme  d'Ormont,  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  d'Hau- 
mont,  the  northwestern  edge  of  the  Bois  des  Caures  and 
points  96.80  and  06.76  in  that  wood,  along  the  southern  edge 
of  the  Bois  de  Champneuville,  through  the  Dauphin  work, 
the  Bonnet  work  in  La  Wavrille  and  Cote  351  to  the  north- 
eastern corner  of  the  Bois  les  Fosses,  beyond  Beaumont. ^*^ 

That  Wednesday  evening  witnessed  the  conclusion  of  the 
operations  in  the  front  line  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  by 
the  forces  under  Colonel  Davis.  Their  part  had  been  well 
played.  In  two  days  they  had  advanced  into  enemy  territory 
more  than  five  kilometers  ;'^°  they  had  broken  through  the 
Hagen  Stellung  and  the  Volker  Stellung  and  had  reached  the 
Giselher  Stellung,  the  principal  line  of  enemy  resistance.  They 
had  captured  20  officers  and  760  men — including  an  Austrian 
major  and  5  lieutenants — 13  guns,  3  trench  mortars  and  113 
machine  guns.^^  They  had  met  with  stubborn  resistance,  had 
been  heavily  pounded  with  shells  and  machine-gun  fire,  and 
flooded  with  gas.''^  They  had  been  attacked  by  picked  Ger- 
man shock  troops  on  their  right,  which  had  been  left  exposed 
and  which  it  was  the  mission  of  the  adjoining  American 
brigade  to  protect;  they  had  lost  one  officer  and  37  men  killed, 
and  11  officers  and  315  men  wounded.*'^  Although  compelled 
to  relinquish  about  one  kilometer  of  the  ground  gained,  they 
were  the  only  troops  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  whose 


116  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

position  that  evening,  even  after  falling  back,  was  near  the  first 
exploitation  objective.  Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the 
gallantry  of  Captains  McCormick  and  Masoner  and  the  105 
men  with  them  who  had  been  surrounded  but  heroically  de- 
fended their  position  all  night.^^  The  machine  gun  companies, 
too,  displayed  exceptional  efficiency  and  courage  during  the 
enemy  counterattack,  thus  contributing  effectually  in  breaking 
it  up  at  a  moment  when  it  threatened  to  become  extremely 


serious 


65 


The  instant  the  report  of  the  enforced  withdrawal  of 
these  troops  reached  the  Division  Commander,  he  acted  with 
characteristic  vigor.  As  it  was  manifest  that  larger  forces 
were  required  on  the  east  bank,  Brigadier  General  Wolf,  com- 
manding the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  was  immediately  placed 
in  charge*^^  and  reenforcements  were  hurried  across  the  river. 
The  3rd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  129th  In- 
fantry, had  already  reached  the  left  bank^'^  and  were  followed 
by  Company  B,  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion. ^^  Beginning 
about  darkness,  the  bridges  that  night  v/ere  packed  with 
troops  of  the  33rd  Division  marching  to  the  support  of  their 
comrades  east  of  the  Meuse,  the  1st  and  3rd  Battalions,  131st 
Infantry,^*^  followed  by  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion;'^*' the  1st  and  2nd  Battalions,  129th  Infantry,  accom- 
panied by  the  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry;"^^  and  Company 
A,  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion.'^-  These  movements  were 
effected  with  unusual  rapidity  and  precision,  considering  the 
darkness,  the  paucity  of  bridges,  and  the  difficulties  of  the 
terrain,  and  these  reenforcements  arrived  at  their  allotted 
positions  in  ample  time  for  the  attack  next  morning.''^ 

The  withdrawal  of  the  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun 
Company,  131st  Infantry,  on  the  night  of  October  7,  coupled 
with  the  movement  of  the  1st  and  3rd  Battalions  to  the  east 
bank  about  4  p.m.  on  October  9,"^^  left  Company  C,.  124th 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  117 

Machine  Gun  Battalion,  in  the  Bois  de  Forges  the  sole  occu- 
pant of  the  sector  originally  occupied  by  the  66th  Brigade. 
The  presence  of  troops  of  the  33rd  Division  directly  across 
the  Meuse  lessened  the  necessity  of  holding  that  portion  of  the 
front  strongly;  but  it  was,  nevertheless,  highly  undesirable 
that  this  sector  should  be  left  without  any  troops.  To  prevent 
such  a  possibility,  the  Commanding  General  of  the  65th  Bri- 
gade issued  orders  that  afternoon  for  two  platoons  to  occupy 
the  sector  between  Dannevoux  and  a  point  opposite  Consen- 
voye.'^^  The  3rd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company  of  the 
129th  Infantry  had  marched  to  the  right  bank  on  the  night  of 
October  8-9,'^  followed  on  the  next  night  at  8  o'clock  by  the 
1st  and  2nd  Battalions  of  that  regiment  and  by  the  3rd  Bat- 
talion, 130th  Infantry. "''^  This  reduction  in  the  strength  of  the 
65th  Brigade  to  two  battalions  of  infantry  and  one  of  machine 
guns  necessitated  a  redistribution  of  these  troops,  and  that 
night  the  2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  took  over  the  sector 
in  the  Bois  de  Dannevoux  formerly  held  by  the  129th  In- 
fantry,'''^ while  the  positions  of  two  of  the  brigade  machine  gun 
companies  were  modified  to  meet  the  requirements  which  had 
been  thus  suddenly  altered. '^^ 

Beyond  the  routine  customary  under  such  circumstances, 
the  day  was  a  quiet  one  at  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  until 
the  arrival  that  afternoon  of  the  report  that  the  troops  across 
the  Meuse  had  been  forced  to  retire  from  the  second  exploita- 
tion objective.  From  that  minute  until  long  after  midnight 
the  dugout  at  La  Hutte  bustled  with  activity.  No  field  order 
was  issued  that  evening — it  was  a  time  for  action,  not  for  writ- 
ing long  and  detailed  instructions — ^^but  every  effort  was  bent 
toward  hurrying  forward  reenforcements  and  toward  making 
the  necessary  arrangements  for  the  attack  which  v/as  to  be 
launched  at  dawn — 6  :05  A.M.  was  the  hour  set — in  conformity 
with  the  Division  Commander's  determination  to  retake  every 


118  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

inch  of  ground  lost  that  afternoon.  The  steps  thus  taken 
anticipated,  but  at  the  same  time  harmonized  with,  the  order 
issued  that  evening  by  the  Commander  of  the  17th  Army 
Corps,  which  prescribed  that  "the  action  will  be  pursued  to- 
morrow, 10th  October,  along  the  entire  front"  and  that  the 
"33rd  U.  S.  Infantry  Division  will  assure  the  possession  of 
the  Bois  de  Chaume  in  liaison  with  the  29th  U.  S.  Infantry 
Division  and  will  push  reconnaissances  onto  the  crest  of  St. 
Pantaleon  and  on  Sivry."  On  its  right  the  29th  American 
Division  and  the  18th  French  Division  were  to  continue  "the 
progress  toward  the  objectives  of  the  plan  of  engagement, 
notably  in  the  direction  of  the  Bois  de  la  Grande  Montagne 
and  in  the  region  Bois  de  la  Reine — Bois  d'Ormont — Bois  de 
Moirey,  the  conquest  of  which  will  mark  an  important  result." 
By  reason  of  the  extension  of  the  front,  the  57th  American 
Brigade,  which  had  crossed  to  the  right  bank  of  the  Meuse, 
was  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  general  commanding  the 
18th  French  Division,  who  was  empowered  to  engage  it  on  the 
right  of  the  58th  Brigade  in  such  a  way  that  the  elements  of 
the  29th  American  Division  would  remain  grouped  together. 
The  26th  and  10th  Colonial  Divisions  (French)  were  to  con- 
tinue their  mission  of  protecting  the  right,  the  114th  Infantry 
and  110th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  (57th  Brigade)  were 
retained  on  the  Cote  de  I'Oie,  and  the  corps  artillery  was 
instructed  to  continue  its  missions  of  interdiction,  counter- 
battery,  and  support  of  the  divisional  artilleries.^^ 

The  activities  of  Thursday,  October  10,  1918,  began  at 
daybreak  with  an  attack  by  the  66th  Brigade  for  the  purpose 
of  retaking  the  ground  relinquished  the  day  before,  and  all 
the  reenforcements  which  had  been  hurried  to  the  east  bank 
of  the  Meuse  during  the  preceding  night  arrived  in  ample 
time.  The  mission  assigned  to  these  forces  was  to  clear  the 
Bois  de  Chaume  and  the  Bois  Plat-Chene  and  to  exploit  to 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  119 

the  second  exploitation  objective  of  the  corps.  Consolidation 
was  to  be  effected  on  a  line  from  the  Tranchee  de  I'Hopital 
along  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  the  Bois 
Plat-Chene  to  Meridian  24.  Starting  at  6 :05  a.m.  from 
the  immediate  rear  of  the  trenches  south  of  the  Bois  de 
Chaume,  the  attack  was  to  be  made  directly  north  by  two  bat- 
talions 131st  Infantry,  one  battalion  129th  Infantry,  two 
companies  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  and  one  company 
122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  these  troops  being  placed 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Sanborn  of  the  131st  Infantry. 
Two  battalions  in  the  front  line  and  one  in  reserve  following 
and  protecting  the  right  flank  were  to  advance,  under  the  pro- 
tection of  a  rolling  barrage,  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  meters 
every  six  minutes.  The  maintenance  of  combat  liaison  with 
the  115th  Infantry  (58th  Brigade)  on  the  right  was  confided 
to  the  131st  Infantry.  The  Brigade  reserve,  composed  of  one 
battalion  129th  Infantry,  one  battalion  130th  Infantry,  and 
one  company  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  was  ordered  to 
assemble  immediately  north  of  Consenvoye  at  5  A.M./-  under 
the  command  of  Colonel  Myer  of  the  129th  Infantry. 

Upon  reaching  the  jumping-off  line  the  troops  were 
formed^^  shortly  before  the  zero  hour;  at  6:05  A.M.  the  bar- 
rage came  down^^  and  the  attack  was  launched  through  the 
line  of  the  forces  under  Colonel  Davis  in  the  Tranchee  du 
Cable. ^^  The  enemy  was  not  caught  napping;  during  the  night 
his  machine  guns  had  worked  around  the  right  and  rear  of 
the  132nd  Infantry  and,  while  the  1st  Battalion,  131st  Infan- 
try, and  the  3rd  Battalion  of  the  129th  were  forming, 
machine-gun  fire  from  the  Bois  de  Consenvoye  took  them  in 
the  rear.^^ 

On  the  left  of  the  attacking  line  the  3rd  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  and  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
encountered  thick  woods,  dense  undergrowth,  and  a  succession 


120  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

of  machine-gun  nests  which  it  required  considerable  time  to 
overcome. ^'^  Effective  use  was  made  of  the  trench  mortars 
and  37-millimeter  gun  but  rapid  progress  was  impossible  in 
view  of  the  continuous  opposition.  Into  the  middle  of  the 
Bois  de  Chaume  an  open  ravine  projects  from  the  north  and, 
upon  reaching  this  opening,  seven  enemy  aeroplanes  flew  low 
and  sprayed  the  troops  with  machine-gun  fire,  while  bombs 
dropped  by  three  aeroplanes  resulted  in  four  casualties. ^^ 
Upon  debouching  from  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de 
Chaume  these  troops  found  themselves  boxed  in  by  a  counter- 
barrage  along  that  wood,  in  the  valley  Dans  les  Vaux  and  on 
the  ridge  beyond,  which  had  been  put  down  by  the  enemy 
artillery  and  machine  guns.  Nevertheless  they  pushed  onward 
through  this  barrage  and,  closely  followed  by  Company  B, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  about  10  A.M.  reached  the 
crest  immediately  south  of  the  second  exploitation  objective, 
which  in  the  sector  of  the  66th  Brigade  was  the  road  from 
Sivry-sur-Meuse  to  the  Villeneuve  Ferme.^^ 

Meanwhile,  the  1st  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  and  Com- 
pany B,  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  forming  the  right, 
had  met  with  similar  difficulties  in  the  shape  of  natural  ob- 
stacles, were  subjected  to  incessant  machine-gun  fire,  and  were 
further  hampered  by  the  exposure  of  their  right  flank  result- 
ing from  the  failure  of  the  58th  Infantry  Brigade  to  keep  pace 
with  them.  So  hot  was  the  enemy's  fire  that  the  1st  Battalion 
became  somewhat  disorganized, ^°  and  CompaniesBandC  were 
so  effectually  flanked  by  it  that  their  advance  was  completely 
arrested  until  two  companies  from  the  3rd  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry,  came  to  their  assistance.^^  On  the  other  hand.  Com- 
panies A  and  D,  which  constituted  the  assaulting  echelon, 
pushed  forward  and,  about  10  A.M.,  the  leading  platoons 
attained  the  crest  overlooking  the  second  exploitation  objec- 
tive.^-    Their  arrival  was  almost  simultaneous  with  that  of 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  121 

the  3rd  Battalion  on  the  west^^  and  the  void  between  the  two 
was  subsequently  filled  by  the  major  part  of  Company  B, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion.*^^  The  ridge  was,  however, 
swept  by  such  intense  enemy  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire 
that  it  had  to  be  abandoned  within  a  short  time  and  all  the 
front-line  troops  had  to  be  withdrawn  behind  the  crest  for 
shelter. ^^  The  position  ordered  to  be  consolidated  ran  through 
the  Tranchee  de  I'Hopital  and  thence  northeastwardly  along 
the  northern  edge  of  the  woods  to  Meridian  24,  but  was  un- 
tenable since  it  was  exposed  to  hostile  fire  and,  furthermore, 
its  vegetation  was  reeking  with  gas.  After  a  brief  conference 
the  two  battalion  commanders  selected  the  northern  slopes  of 
the  valley  Dans  les  Vaux  and  the  Ravin  de  la  Vaux  de  Mille 
Mais  on  account  of  the  protection  which  they  afforded;  the 
troops  were  ordered  to  dig  in  along  this  line,*"^  their  front  cov- 
ered by  a  chain  of  outposts  composed  of  automatic  rifle  squads 
stationed  just  north  of  the  crest  for  the  purpose  of  observation 
and  as  a  protection  against  counterattacks.''*^  It  was  in  this 
sheltered  position  that  they  were  rejoined  sometime  later  by 
Companies  B  and  C,  131st  Infantry,  which  had  been  held  up 
early  in  the  attack  and  which,  upon  arriving,  were  posted  on 
the  right  of  the  1st  BattaHon.^^ 

The  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  which  constituted 
the  part  of  the  support  for  the  front  line  troops  and  which 
was  to  follow  five  hundred  meters  behind  them  in  order  to 
protect  their  right  flank,  experienced  many  vicissitudes.  When 
Companies  B  and  C,  131st  Infantry,  were  stopped  by 
machine-gun  fire  from  the  east,  two  companies  of  the  3rd  Bat- 
talion, 129th  Infantry,  eventually  were  sent  to  their  assist- 
ance. The  remaining  two  companies  of  this  battalion  passed 
through  them  and  continued  toward  their  objective,  which  they 
attained  about  2  p.m.,  and  took  position  on  the  extreme  right 
of  the  front  line,  a  short  distance  southeast  of  the  Magenta 


122  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Ferme.  When  the  enemy's  machine  guns  had  been  subdued''® 
sufficiently  to  permit  Companies  B  and  C,  131st  Infantry,  to 
resume  their  movement,  Company  B  of  the  129th  Infantry 
continued  its  advance  and  about  3  p.m.  rejoined  the  rest  of  the 
battaUon.  After  this  affair  at  noon  Company  L,  having  been 
charged  to  maintain  haison  with  the  115th  Infantry  (58th 
Brigade),  made  no  further  advance, ^'**^  and  the  stragglers  did 
not  put  in  an  appearance  until  the  following  morning.^*^^ 

The  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  which  formed  part 
of  the  reserve,  was  however  directed  by  Colonel  Sanborn  to 
follow  five  hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  3rd  Battalion  of 
the  129th  and  was  given  special  instructions  to  support  the 
right.  Like  the  others  it  encountered  numerous  difficulties.  It 
had  scarcely  got  under  way  when  it  was  caught  in  an  enemy 
barrage  which  descended  upon  it  in  the  open  valley  south  of 
the  Bois  Piat-Chene.  The  infiltration  of  hostile  machine 
guns  in  the  zone  through  which  the  58th  Infantry  Brigade  was 
presumed  to  be  advancing  culminated  in  an  enfilade  fire  from 
one  enemy  nest  which  was  so  heavy  against  the  right  of  this 
command  that  the  battalion  was  thrown  into  disorder  and  Com- 
panies I  and  K  became  partly  disorganized.  Terrestrial  fire 
was  not  the  only  thing  which  had  to  be  contended  with;  the 
troops  were  heavily  bombed  and  machine-gunned  by  hostile 
aeroplanes  and  were  even  subjected  to  point-blank  fire  from 
some  77s  in  their  right  rear.  While  Company  M  continued 
to  the  objective  assigned  to  the  battalion  at  the  northern  edge 
of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  Major  Bittel  remained  behind,  rallied 
such  men  as  he  could  collect,  and  sent  them  forward  in  detach- 
ments to  rejoin  Company  M.  It  was  not,  however,  until  the 
following  morning  that  the  stragglers  who  were  scattered 
throughout  the  thick  woods  were  assembled  and  brought  back 
to  the  command, ^^-  which  had  spent  the  night  in  the  Bois  de 
Chaume  in  a  position  on  Parallel  82  between  the  Wurllebau- 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  123 

bois  ravine  and  the  road  which  separates  the  Bois  de  Chaume 
from  the  Bois  Plat-Chene.^"^  The  necessity  for  thorough 
liaison  between  the  units  engaged  in  a  combined  attack  was 
strikingly  illustrated  inasmuch  as  "the  failure  of  the  troops 
on  the  right  to  advance  subjected  this  Battalion  and  all  other 
troops  in  this  advance  to  terrific  artillery  fire  consisting  of  high 
explosive,  shrapnel  and  gas,  as  well  as  flanking  machine  gun 
fire  resulting  in  many  casualties. "^"^^ 

Three  times  the  front  line  troops  pushed  forward  to  the 
second  exploitation  objective,  only  to  be  compelled  to  fall 
back,  since  the  position  was  untenable  and  their  right  flank  was 
dangerously  "in  the  air."^""'  Throughout  the  day  the  troops 
were  harassed  with  fire  of  every  sort  and  the  terrain  which 
they  occupied  was  flooded  with  gas.^°^  The  enemy  persisted 
with  his  infiltration  against  the  exposed  right^"'  and  the  situa- 
tion became  such  that  the  brigade  commander  ordered  the 
1st  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  and  Company  A,  122nd  Ma- 
chine Gun  Battalion,  to  advance  and  to  form  a  defensive 
flank  on  the  east.  This  movement  was  made  under  a  con- 
stantly increasing  shell  and  machine-gun  fire,  and  a  position 
en  potence  on  the  extreme  right  was  taken  by  these  units, ^"^^ 
their  left  touching  the  right  of  the  3rd  Battalion,  129th  In- 
fantry,^*^^  near  the  Magenta  Ferme  and  their  front  facing  east 
extending  directly  south  across  the  Vaux  de  Mille  Mais  to 
the  eastern  terminus  of  the  Ravin  du  Plat-Chene.  The  oppo- 
site extremity  of  the  line  was  held  by  the  Machine  Gun  Com- 
pany, 131st  Infantry,  in  the  Tranchee  de  la  Vanne,  its  left 
resting  on  the  Consenvoye-Sivry  road  and  its  right  at  the 
northwestern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  liaison  with  the 
left  company  of  the  131st  Infantry  being  maintained  by  night 
patrols.  The  troops  which  constituted  the  reserve  of  the  66th 
Brigade — the  1st  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  the 
2nd  Battalion,  131st    Infantry,^^^    and    Company   A,    124th 


124  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Machine  Gun  Battalion — remained  in  their  positions  south  of 
the  Bois  de  Chaume  in  the  Tranchee  du  Cable,  while  in  the 
extreme  rear  the  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  and  Company 
D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  continued  to  occupy  the 
trenches  near  Consenvoye.^^^ 

The  situation  at  the  time  and  the  measures  of  security 
taken  for  the  approaching  night,  which  was. destined  to  be  the 
prelude  of  the  days  and  nights  when  these  troops  were  so 
unmercifully  punished  with  every  weapon  possessed  by  the 
enemy,^^'  are  thus  described  by  Colonel  Sanborn, ^^^  who  com- 
manded the  leading  battalions  in  this  attack: 

During  the  afternoon  of  the  10th  it  became  evident  that 
no  support  would  be  forthcoming  from  troops  on  our  right. 
Many  messages  came  in  reciting  the  fact  that  [our]  troops 
were  under  heavy  machine  gun  fire,  shell  fire  and  gas.  Nine 
enemy  planes  sprayed  the  lines  with  machine  gun  fire  for  five 
minutes  without  opposition.  Later  the  raid  was  repeated. 
Enemy  troops  started  working  around  the  right  flank  in  small 
squads.  .  .and  more  or  less  disorganization  existed  in  some  of 
the  three  Regimental  Detachments  and  Machine  Gun  Com- 
panies scattered  as  they  were  through  the  woods.  After  con- 
sultation with  the  Brigade  Commander,  it  was  decided  to  hold 
a  line  with  detachments  and  to  dig  in  a  defensive  position  in 
the  valley  Dans  les  Vaux  through  the  woods  east  to  Grid  Line 
24  [which  position  was]  to  be  held  at  all  costs. ^^^  All  troops 
except  those  holding  the  line  and  [in  the]  Brigade  Reserve 
were  to  be  employed  on  the  work.^^^  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Stansfield,  132nd  Infantry,  who  was  with  the  reserve  was 
given  instructions  to  order  the  work.  It  was  impossible  to 
complete  parts  of  this  line  during  daylight.  Work  was  con- 
tinued at  intervals  when  opportunity  permitted.  Not  much 
progress  was  made  in  the  way  of  connecting  up  the  entire  line, 
but  individual  units  dug  in  the  best  they  could.  Major  Bittel 
did  especially  good  work  in  preparing  his  position,  cutting  out 
underbrush,  wiring  approaches,  etc. 

To  the  20  oflicers  and  760  men  captured  by  the  132nd 
Infantry  on  the  two  preceding  days  were  added  4  officers  and 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  125 

149  men,  besides  a  considerable  quantity  of  enemy  materiel  of 
all  sorts. ^^*' 

On  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse  were  two  units  belonging 
to  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade.  The  first — Company  C,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion — remained  in  reserve  in  the  Bois  de 
Forges, ^^^  whereas  the  other — the  3rd  Battalion,  132nd  In- 
fantry— had  been  detached.  As  has  been  seen,  it  relieved  the 
S8th  Infantry  and  a  battalion  of  the  59th  Infantry  in  the  Bois 
du  Fays  on  the  night  of  October  6-7  and  held  that  difficult 
position  during  October  7,  8,  and  9.  On  October  10  two  of 
its  companies  participated,  in  the  support  line,  in  an  advance 
attack  through  the  Bois  de  Malaumont  and  during  the  night 
were  sent  forward  into  the  front  line  preparatory  to  a  resump- 
tion of  the  attack  next  day.^^'^ 

The  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  greatly  depleted  by  virtue 
of  the  reenforcements  which  it  had  sent  across  the  river — thus 
reducing  it  to  two  battalions  of  infantry  and  one  of  machine 
guns — spent  a  comparatively  quiet  day,^^^  especially  as  the 
enemy  shelling  was  lighter  than  usual.  The  taking  over  of 
the  outpost  and  defense  lines  in  the  Bois  de  Dannevoux 
vacated  by  the  129th  Infantry  the  night  before  was  finished  at 
3  :15  A.M.  by  the  2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  and  the  entire 
sector  in  the  bend  of  the  Meuse  from  the  Laiterie  de  Belhame 
through  the  Bois  de  Dannevoux  to  the  western  edge  of  the 
Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  was  therefore  thinly  held  by  the  1st 
and  2nd  Battalions  of  that  regiment.^-"  Companies  B  and  C, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  remained  in  their  former 
positions  in  the  line,  but  the  other  two  companies  were  sent 
that  night  to  join  the  forces  on  the  east  bank.^^^ 

Aside  from  making  two  requests  to  the  corps  artillery 
for  fire  against  certain  points  out  of  range,  ordering  one 
platoon  from  the  102nd  Trench  Mortar  Battery  to  be  put  at 
the  disposal  of  the  commanding  officer,  131st  Infantry,  direct- 


126  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

ing  all  available  machine  guns  placed  in  the  Bois  de  Forges  for 
anti-aircraft  missions,  and  instructing  the  105th  Field  Artil- 
lery to  do  some  counterbattery  work,  the  52nd  Field  Artillery 
Brigade  spent  a  rather  tranquil  day.'--  The  artillery  group 
under  Colonel  Smith,  on  the  other  hand,  was  busily  employed 
in  supporting  the  troops  east  of  the  Meuse  with  barrages  and 
accompanying  fire  J -^  Frequent  allusion  has  been  made  to  the 
activity  that  day  of  the  enemy  artillery  which  pounded  the  Bois 
de  Chaume  in  a  decidedly  lively  fashion  from  1  to  5  :30  P.M. 
About  8  P.M.  it  shelled  the  Bois  de  Forges  in  accordance  with 
its  almost  daily  custom  and  from  11  P.M.  until  an  hour  after 
midnight  kept  the  130th  Infantry  awake  by  bombarding  Dan- 
nevoux  and  its  neighborhood  with  105-millimeter  shells. ^-^ 

Early  in  the  evening  the  Corps  Commander  issued  his 
orders  for  the  operations  of  the  morrow. ^-^  Announcement 
was  made  that  the  line  attained  at  the  close  of  the  day  by  the 
17th  Army  Corps  ran  through  the  Tranchee  de  la  Vanne 
across  the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  the  Bois 
Plat-Chene,  through  "Hill  371  (west  of  Richene),'^" 
northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Molleville,  Bois  de  la  Reine  to 
Point  76.06,  southern  and  southwestern  parts  of  the  Bois 
d'Ormont,  southern  boundary  of  the  Bois  de  Moirey,  200 
meters  west  of  the  Bois  la  Fosse-a-Terre,  southern  edge  of  the 
Bois  de  Champneuville,  la  Wavrille  (except  the  northeast 
corner)."  Instructions  were  given  that  "the  action  will  be 
pursued  tomorrow,  11th  October,  along  the  whole  front  under 
the  general  conditions  indicated  by  Order  No.  4  of  the  9th 
October."  "Mission  unchanged"  were  the  directions  for  the 
33rd  Division,  whereas  the  29th  Division  was  charged  with 
"progression  toward  the  objectives  of  the  plan  of  engagement, 
notably  on  the  Grande  Montagne,  objective  of  first  import- 
ance, which  constitutes  the  base  of  the  exploitation  toward  the 
north,"  as  well  as  "to  assure  close  liaison  with  the  33rd  I.  D. 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  127 

U.  S.  on  the  left  and  the  18th  on  the  right."  The  same  mis- 
sion was  given  to  the  French  divisions,  while  the  10th 
Colonial  Infantry  Division  was  "to  maintain  at  all  costs  the 
possession  of  la  Wavrille,  which  covers  the  right  flank  of  the 
attack"  and  "to  assure  close  liaison  with  the  26th  I.  D."  and 
the  corps  artillery  was  to  continue  its  interdiction  and  counter- 
battery  fire  in  concert  with  the  divisional  artilleries. 

The  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  at  La  Hutte  in  the  Bois 
Bourrus  was  the  scene  of  considerable  activity  that  day  in  view 
of  the  attack  being  made  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse.  Aside 
from  the  occurrences  connected  with  the  engagement,  the 
principal  event  of  importance  was  the  issuance  at  2  P.M.  of 
Field  Order  No.  29,^-^  which  prescribed  that  the  troops  on  the 
right  should  continue  their  operations  next  day  in  accordance 
with  the  plan  of  engagement  of  the  17th  Corps,  should 
hold  the  sector  gained,  and  assure  the  possession  of  the  Bois 
de  Chaume  and  the  Bois  Plat-Chene  as  far  as  the  Ravin  du 
Plat-Chene.  The  area  of  the  33rd  Division  was  divided  into 
two  sectors,  the  right  sector  lying  between  the  Meuse  and 
Meridian  24,  the  left  sector  between  the  western  bank  of  that 
river  and  the  left  boundary  of  the  division.  For  the  right 
sector  an  outpost  zone  and  a  main  line  of  resistance  were  pre- 
scribed, and  the  latter,  which  was  to  skirt  the  northern  edge  of 
the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  follow  the  wood  road  running  south- 
east to  Hill  371,  was  ordered  to  be  prepared  for  defense  and 
to  be  "held  to  the  last."  A  mixed  detachment  was  to  be  estab- 
lished near  Hills  371  and  382  (Richene)  for  close  liaison  with 
the  29th  Division,  lines  of  information  were  to  be  put  into  per- 
fect working  order  to  insure  proper  communication  with  the 
division  P.  C,  and  other  measures  were  provided  for  the 
security  of  the  troops. ^^'^ 

On  Friday,  October  11,  1918,  there  was  no  advance,  nor 
indeed  any  important  movement  by  the  33rd  Division,  save  in 


128  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  case  of  a  few  isolated  units.  The  day  was  not,  however, 
wholly  lacking  in  interest  and  the  troops  on  the  east  bank  of 
the  Meuse  were  kept  decidedly  on  the  qui  vive  by  the  incessant 
shelling,  machine-gun  fire,  and  gassing  to  which  they  were  sub- 
jected throughout  the  day  and  night.  Their  own  artillery 
responded  by  firing  that  morning  on  Sivry-sur-Meuse,  where 
the  enemy  was  causing  them  considerable  annoyance,  and  on 
Haraumont,  where  the  enemy  batteries  were  very  active;  in 
harassing  the  road  at  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la 
Grande  Montagne  leading  from  La  Borne  de  Cornouille  to 
an  enemy  dump  on  a  forty-centimeter  tramway, ^^^  and  in 
requesting  the  corps  artillery  for  support,  particularly  against 
the  guns  near  Haraumont  and  against  the  enemy  artillery  and 
machine  guns  in  the  Bois  Plat-Chene  that  evening.^^^  It 
was  deemed  advisable  to  have  some  batteries  of  75s  belonging 
to  the  artillery  group  under  Colonel  Smith  closer  to  the  troops 
which  they  were  supporting  and,  accordingly,  during  the  night 
of  October  11-12,  the  1st  Battahon,  104th  Field  Artillery, 
moved  from  its  position  at  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  Bois 
de  Forges  to  the  vicinity  of  the  Tranchee  de  Heraclee  south- 
east of  Consenvoye.^^^ 

The  principal  events  that  day  affecting  the  forces  on  the 
east  bank  of  the  Meuse  are  thus  narrated  by  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  131st  Infantry. ^^- 

The  morning  of  October  11th  a  message  was  received 
from  the  C.  O.  1 15th  Infantry  that  their  second  Battalion  was 
about  to  effect  a  passage  of  the  lines,  with  orders  to  gain  the 
second  Exploitation  Objective.  The  movement  apparently 
failed  as  the  left  of  that  organization  was  located  the  follow- 
ing morning  at  1  :50  o'clock  2i/^  kilometers  in  rear  on  Grid  81. 
It  became  evident  in  the  early  morning  [of  October  11]  that 
a  reorganization  and  readjustment  of  the  line  was  neces- 
sai.y.133  xhe  C.  O.  131st  Infantry  was  notified  by  the  Brigade 
Commander  that  he  would  be  in  command  of  operations  be- 
tween North  and  South  Grid  24  and  River  Meuse  with  three 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  129 

Battalions  and  Machine  Gun  Co.  131st  Infantry  and  following 
attached  troops:  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  3rd  Battalion, 
129th  Infantry^^''  and  attached  machine  gun  units. ^^^  Major 
Allen,  3rd  Battalion,  was  designated  by  the  C.  O.  131st 
Infantry  as  his  representative,  with  orders  to  place  Captain 
Melville  in  charge  of  all  machine  gun  units,  to  check  positions 
and  make  readjustments  where  necessary.  Troops  which  are 
forward  of  line  dug  last  night  [are]  to  be  held  by  out-posts; 
other  line  designated  at  the  same  time  to  be  held  and  the  posi- 
tion organized  in  depth.  Liaison  to  be  maintained  on  right. ^^* 
Anticipating  some  act  on  the  part  of  right  flank  troops  as 
evidenced  by  their  message  at  8  A.M.  in  which  it  was  stated  our 
second  Bn.  ( 11 5th  Inf.)  is  about  to  effect  a  passage  of  lines  to 
begin  the  attack.  .  .  .  Orders  to  gain  the  Second  Exploitation 
Objective, ^^■''  our  forward  troops  again  occupied  that  portion 
of  the  line  on  our  immediate  front.  Consummation  of  the 
intended  move  was  not  accomplished.  At  11:25  A.M.  the 
Liaison  Officer  of  the  115th  Infantry  was  asked  to  ascertain 
where  the  left  of  his  organization  was  and  what  progress  was 
being  made,  there  being  no  apparent  movement.  Heavy  ma- 
chine gun  fire  increasing  in  volume  continued  on  our  right. 
First  Battahon  Commander  reported  situation  serious. 
No  report  was  received  to  inquiry  as  to  position  of  the  115th 
Infantry.  .  .  .  During  the  night  of  October  llth-12th  a  con- 
ference was  held  with  the  Brigade  Commander,  at  which  time 
a  decision  was  reached  to  consolidate  and  dig  in  a  line  in  the 
general  direction  east  and  west  of  Grid  82  toward  the  north 
edge  of  Chaume  Woods, ^^^  but  conditions  during  that  night 
made  the  movement  impossible. ^^^  It  was  therefore  deferred 
until  the  following  night.  About  500  yards  of  trenches  two 
feet  wide  and  three  or  four  feet  deep  were  however  dug  by 
early  morning. 

There  were  no  movements  on  the  part  of  the  1st  and  2nd 
Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  the  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry, 
and  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  in  the 
trenches  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,'^"  or  by  the  2nd  Bat- 
talion, 129th  Infantry,  and  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  in  the  trenches  near  Consenvoye;^'^  but  during  the 
day   Companies  A   and   D,    123rd   Machine   Gun   Battalion, 


130  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

arrived  from  the  west  bank,  were  placed  under  the  command- 
ing officer  of  the  129th  Infantry,  and  were  sent  forward  to 

the  line  occupied  by  the  1st  and  2nd  Battalions  of  that  regi- 
ment.^'^^ 

On  the  right  bank  of  the  Meuse  were  two  units  belonging 
to  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade — Company  C,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  which  continued  to  occupy  the  Bois  de 
Forges, ^"^^  and  the  3rd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  then  operat- 
ing with  the  4th  Division.  On  October  1 1  this  battalion 
participated  in  an  attack  in  which  it  had  two  companies  in 
the  front  line  and  two  companies  protecting  the  right  flank 
of  the  assaulting  troops.  The  objective — the  northern  edge  of 
the  Bois  de  Foret — was  reached  on  scheduled  time,^**  and  the 
conduct  of  this  battalion  throughout  its  operations  was  such 
as  to  win  high  commendation  from  the  unit  commanders  under 
whom  it  served. ^^^ 

Apart  from  minor  rectification  of  position,  no  events  of 
importance  occurred  in  the  sector  along  the  river  as  far  as  the 
western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  held  by  the  65th 
Infantry  Brigade,  which  had  been  further  weakened  by  the 
transfer  of  Companies  A  and  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, to  the  Bois  de  Chaume.^^^ 

Except  for  routine,  that  Friday  was  virtually  a  dies  non 
i.n  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  and  the  only  event  that  need 
be  chronicled  was  the  receipt  during  the  course  of  the  evening 
of  the  operation  order  Issued  by  the  17th  Army  Corps, ^**^ 
which  postponed  Its  customary  statement  of  the  front  held  at 
the  end  of  the  day  but  announced  that: 

In  these  4  days  of  battle,  aside  from  the  losses  inflicted 
upon  the  enemy  (more  than  5000  prisoners  and  a  considerable 
materiel)^  apart  from  an  advance  of  more  than  5  kilometers 
on  a  difficult  terrain  and  across  formidable  organized  works, 
the  American  and  French  units  belonging  to  the  17th  Army 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  131 

Corps  have  lent  an  efficient  assistance  to  the  general  action  by 
consuming  strong  enemy  reserves. 

It  went  on  to  direct  that : 

Tomorrow,  12th  October,  the  progression  will  be  re- 
sumed under  the  following  conditions :  SSr'd  I.  D.,  U.  S.  will 
continue  its  mission  of  resistance  at  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and 
at  the  Bois  Plat-Chene  and  of  reconnaissance  on  Sivry  and  the 
Cote  de  St.  Pantaleon.  It  will  insure  a  close  liaison  with  the 
29th  I.  D.,  U.  S.  and  will  aid,  if  need  be,  this  latter  to  outllank 
the  clearing  of  Molleville  and  the  one  to  the  west  (this  latter 
not  indicated  on  the  map).  29th  I.  D.,  U.  S.  will  resume  its 
advance  on  the  Bois  dc  la  Grande  Montagne,  insuring  the 
security  of  its  right  flank  by  a  suitable  echelonment  if  the  18th 
I.  D.,  more  particularly  oriented  toward  the  N.  E.,  does  not 
immediately  conform  to  the  movement  of  the  29th  I.  D.,  U.  S. 

The  18th  French  Division  was  to  carry  out  its  opera- 
tion in  the  region  of  the  Bois  de'Ormont  and  the  Bois  de 
Moirey  at  7  A.M.  with  its  infantry;  the  26th  French  Division 
was  \o  continue  its  pressure  particularly  to  the  left  in  order  to 
bring  about  the  fall  of  Crest  329;  while  the  mission  of  the 
10th  Colonial  Division  was  local  resistance  at  La  Wavrille.  A 
footnote  referring  to  the  instructions  for  the  33rd  and  29th 
American  Divisions  announced  that  "It  is  understood  that  the 
advance  prescribed  to  the  29th  I.  D.  U.  S.  is  subordinated  to 
the  getting  into  place  required  by  the  powerfully  fortified 
work  of  the  Clearing  of  Molleville  and  its  outskirts." 

On  Saturday,  October  12,  1918,  at  1:50  A.M.  patrols 
from  the  131st  Infantry  located  the  left  of  the  115th  Infantry 
east  of  the  reserve  of  the  66th  Brigade,  which  held  the 
Tranchee  du  Cable  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume. ^^^  This 
position  was  behind  the  normal  objective  assigned  to  the  58th 
Brigade  (29th  Division)  and  nearly  two  and  a  half  kilometers 
in  the  rear  of  the  front  line  of  the  33rd  Division  at  its  right 
extremity. ^•^"^  Subsequent  reports,  received  at  7:30  and  9  A.M., 
however,  announced  a  position  somewhat  farther  forward  and 


132  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

gave  the  information  that  the  5  7th  Brigade  on  its  right  was 
then  engaged  in  an  attack. ^^" 

The  forces  of  the  33rd  Division  on  the  east  bank  spent 
the  day  in  making  the  prescribed  reconnaissances  on  Sivry-sur- 
Meuse^^^  and  beyond  the  ridge  where  the  Chapel  of  St.  Panta- 
leon  and  the  Magenta  Ferme  are  situated  and  in  holding  their 
positions  under  intense  shell  fire,  which  began  about  midnight 
on  October  11,  and  continued  almost  without  interruption 
until  7  P.M.  There  was  also  heavy  machine-gun  fire,  a  counter- 
attack at  2:15  a.m.,  and  frequent  attacks  by  hostile  aero- 
planes.^^^  Indeed,  the  latter  became  so  bold  that  machine  guns 
had  to  be  sent  to  the  front  lines  for  anti-aircraft  work.  The 
supporting  artillery  responded,  combining  counterbattery  with 
its  other  fire,  but  without  affording  much  relief  to  the  punish- 
ment which  the  infantry  was  forced  to  undergo.  It  was 
therefore  deemed  expedient  to  move  more  of  the  75s  farther 
forward  where  their  fire  would  be  more  effective  and  the  2nd 
Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery,  accordingly  changed  position 
that  night  from  the  vicinity  of  the  Bois  de  Forges  to  th© 
southwestern  edge  of  the  Bois  Jure.^^^ 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  afternoon  the  commanding 
officer,  131st  Infantry,  issued  orders  for  a  reorganization  of 
the  system  of  defense  during  the  night  of  October  12-13^^'* 
and  directed  the  construction  of  a  main  line  of  resistance 
which  was  to  be  finished  by  daylight.  This  line  was  to  run 
from  the  open  ground  north  of  the  Tranchee  de  la  Vanne  mid- 
way between  the  Consenvoye-Sivry  road  and  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  around  the  edge  of  that  wood 
and  into  the  ravine  where  Wulllebaubois  is  situated,  joining 
with  the  position  of  the  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  and 
thence  along  Grid  line  82  to  Meridian  24.  It  was  to  be  laid 
out  under  the  supervision  of  Major  Bittel  and  the  work  was 
to  be  done  by  the  2nd  Battahon,  129th  Infantry,  and  Company 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  133 

A,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  which  were  to  report  at 
6  P.M.  with  the  necessary  shovels  and  picks.  Upon  completion, 
it  was  to  be  occupied  by  the  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  on 
the  west,  the  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  in  the  centre,  and 
the  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  on  the  east,  each  battalion 
accompanied  by  the  machine  gun  company  attached  to  it.  The 
1st  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  was  to  be  withdrawn  from  the 
front  line  and  was  to  join  the  2nd  Battalion  of  that  regiment 
in  the  trenches  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  the  two  to  con- 
stitute the  support.  The  1st  and  3rd  Battalions,  129th  In- 
fantry, and  the  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  were  to  form 
the  reserve  in  the  trenches  northeast  of  Consenvoye.^^^  The 
necessary  orders  were  therefore  issued  by  Major  Allen,  com- 
manding the  front  line  troops,  but  these  were  shortly  after- 
wards countermanded,  since  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
131st  decided  to  postpone  the  occupation  of  the  new  line  until 
it  was  entirely  ready. ^^"^  Approximately  nine  hundred  yards 
of  shallow  trenches  had  been  dug  during  the  day^^'^  and  that 
night  the  work  was  pushed  as  rapidly  as  possible  under  the 
circumstances. 

On  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse  the  two  units  belonging 
to  the  66th  Brigade  remained  in  their  former  positions.  Com- 
pany B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  In  the  Bols  de 
Forges^^^  and  the  3rd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company, 
132nd  Infantry,  In  the  Bois  de  Foret. 

So  far  as  the  depleted  65th  Brigade  was  concerned,  that 
Saturday  was  devoid  of  Interest  beyond  the  usual  trench  rou- 
tine, the  only  Incident  necessary  to  mention  here  being  the 
Improvements  made  to  the  main  line  of  resistance  In  the  sector 
occupied  before  dawn  by  Company  C,  123rd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion."* 

In  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  likewise,  there  occurred 
nothing  worthy  of  record  until  the  arrival  that  evening  of  the 


134  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

order  Issued  by  the  Commander  of  the  17th  Army  Corps, ^®® 
which  contained  much  interesting  information.  It  opened 
with  the  announcement  that : 

The  line  attained  at  the  end  of  the  day  passes  through 
the  northern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  Ravin  du  Plat 
Chene,  Richene,  southern  edge  of  la  Clairie  de  la  Ferme 
Molleville,  Ravin  de  Molleville,  Ravin  de  la  Reine,  southern 
edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chenes  toward  Point  78.07,  northern  edge 
of  the  Bois  d'Ormont,  at  79.05,  a  line  traversing  the  wood 
from  this  point  at  84.02,  Tranchee  de  Koutahia  as  far  as 
86.00,  thence  the  line  attained  the  11th  October. 

Our  progression [s]  at  the  northern  and  southern  edges 
and  in  the  interior  of  the  Bois  d'Ormont  have  given  rise  to 
some  very  hot  actions  in  which  a  strong  enemy  aviation  took 
part. 

It  then  went  on  to  say : 

II.  The  present  situation  can  be  summed  up  as  follows: 
The  Exploitation  Objective  then  the  Normal  Objective  have 
been  attained  as  far  as  Meridian  28.  To  the  east  of  the  lat- 
ter there  is  a  struggle  for  the  Normal  Objective  (Bois 
d'Ormont,  Bois  de  Moirey).  The  Intermediate  Objective  has 
been  approximately  realized  in  the  Bois  des  Caures. 

Under  these  conditions,  successive  local  actions  are  still 
to  be  resumed  with  the  object  of  reducing  the  points  d'appui 
which  are  hindering  our  progress.  Starting  from  strong  points 
already  acquired,  these  actions  will  be  treated  like  large  raids 
with  the  occupation  of  the  terrain  acquired  (precise  prepara- 
tion by  artillery,  employment  of  trench  mortars,  caging  by 
machine  guns,  etc.). 

For  the  ensuing  day,  October  13,  it  was  announced  that 
the  33rd  Division  "will  maintain  possession  of  the  Bois  de 
Chaume  and  of  Plat-Chene  and  will  assist  the  29th  U.  S.  I.  D. 
when  it  moves  forward.  These  reconnaissances  will  endeavor 
to  maintain  themselves  on  the  saddle  of  St.  Pantaleon  where 
they  will  advantageously  serve  as  covering  and  contact  ele- 
ments." The  29th  Division,  it  was  prescribed,  "will  resume  the 
preparation  of  its  operation  on  the  Grande  Montagne,  an 
operation  which  it  is  desirable  to  reahze  as  quickly  as  possible 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  135 

since  the  enemy  can  only  profit  by  every  delay  to  re-enforce 
himself.  It  will  make  known  as  soon  as  possible  the  date  and 
hour  of  this  operation."  The  18th  French  Division  was  "first 
of  all  to  Insure  the  total  conquest  of  the  Bois  d'Ormont"  and, 
apart  from  minor  actions,  to  prepare  for  the  major  operation 
which  had  been  fixed  for  October  14.  The  26th  French  Divi- 
sion was  exhorted  "to  realize  the  Intermediate  Objective"  and 
by  thrusting  forward  its  left  to  aid  the  18th.  The  missions  of 
the  10th  Colonial  Infantry  Division  and  the  artillery  re- 
mained unchanged,  but  the  latter  was  charged  "to  observe 
scrupulously  the  orders  relative  to  the  consumption  of  projec- 
tiles outside  of  attacks." 

Sunday,  October  13,  1918,  was  marked  by  Increased 
artillery  activity  on  both  sides.  Beginning  at  1  :30  A.M.  and 
continuing  until  midnight,  the  enemy  guns  concentrated  at 
various  times  on  different  localities  throughout  the  area  occu- 
pied by  the  33rd  Division  and  from  1 1  A.M.  until  5  p.m. 
harassed  a  number  of  places  Intermittently.  The  bridge  at 
Consenvoye,  the  road  leading  from  that  town  tov/ard  Damvil- 
lers  and  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume  came  In  for 
their  share,  nor  did  the  troops  In  the  trenches  escape  this 
fire.^^^  The  corps  artillery  devoted  some  attention  to  the 
Viileneuve  Ferme  at  5  A.M.  and  twelve  hours  later  to  a  certain 
enemy  battery  which  was  causing  considerable  annoyance  by 
its  activity.  The  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  compara- 
tively quiet  but  made  preparations  to  cooperate  in  the  attack 
of  the  29th  Division  next  day,  until  announcement  was 
received  of  a  postponement  for  twenty-four  hours. ^^-  The 
supporting  group  under  Colonel  Smith  Indulged  in  consider- 
able harassing  fire  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the  day  the 
"heavies"  and  the  2nd  Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery,  bom- 
barded SIvry-sur-Meuse  quite  heavily  to  cover  the  emplace- 
ment of  a  portion  of  the  102nd  Trench  Mortar  Battery  on 


136  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  ridge  near  Dannevoux.  On  October  11  and  12  two  bat- 
talions of  75s  had  been  moved  forward  with  a  view  to 
increasing  their  effectiveness,  and  during  the  night  of  October 
13-14  three  batteries  of  the  106th  Field  Artillery  followed 
suit  by  changing  position  from  the  Cote  d  I'Oie  to  the  immedi- 
ate vicinity  of  Gercourt-et-Drillancourt.^^^ 

Under  continuous  shelling,  rendered  doubly  onerous  by 
constant  enemy  machine-gun  fire,  the  troops  of  the  33rd  Divi- 
sion in  the  advanced  positions  east  of  the  Meuse  spent  a 
distinctly  uncomfortable  day.^*^"*  The  work  of  constructing 
the  trenches  constituting  the  main  line  of  resistance  was  pushed 
throughout  the  night  of  October  12—13  and  during  the  day.^*^^ 
The  injunction  from  the  division  P.  C.  "to  avoid  any  ugly 
salients  in  the  line"  resulted  in  the  elimination  of  the  projec- 
tion caused  by  following  the  northwestern  corner  of  the  Bois 
de  Chaume,  and  the  modified  trace  connected  the  Tranchee  de 
I'Hopital  with  the  position  of  the  3rd  Battalion,  130th 
Infantry,  and  thence  ran  eastwardly  to  Meridian  24,  so  that 
the  entire  system  was  located  south  of,  and  more  or  less 
parallel  to.  Grid  line  82.  During  the  course  of  the  day  it 
became  manifest  that  these  trenches  would  be  ready  for 
occupation  as  soon  as  the  troops  could  be  safely  withdrawn 
under  cover  of  the  darkness  but,  about  2:30  P.M.,  the  com- 
manding officer,  131st  Infantry,  decided  that  two  battalions 
were  sufficient  to  hold  this  new  line  provided  one  battalion 
were  in  support  and  four  in  reserve. ^^^  The  dispositions 
announced  on  the  preceding  afternoon  but  postponed  for 
twenty-four  hours^*^'  were  accordingly  modified  by  orders^^^ 
designating  the  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  and  the  3rd 
Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  as  the  garrison  for  the  main  line  of 
resistance.  The  former  on  the  east  was  to  extend  its  right  as 
far  as  Meridian  24,  where  it  was  to  connect  with  the  115th 
Infantry  (58th  Infantry  Brigade),  while  the  latter  on  the  west, 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  137 

in  addition  to  the  position  which  it  then  occupied,  was  to  take 
over  the  sector  held  by  the  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  on 
the  left.  The  support  was  to  be  formed  by  the  2nd  Battalion, 
131st  Infantry,  in  its  existing  position  in  the  Tranchee  du 
Cable  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume.  The  1st  and  3rd  Bat- 
talions, 131st  Infantry,  were  to  withdraw  to  the  trenches 
south  of  Consenvoye  at  the  eastern  approach  to  the  bridge 
over  the  Meuse  where,  together  with  the  1st  and  3rd  Bat- 
talions, 129th  Infantry,  likewise  withdrawn  from  the  front 
line,  they  were  to  constitute  the  reserve. ^^^  Major  Allen,  com- 
manding the  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  was  left  in 
command  of  the  line  and  particular  stress  was  laid  upon  the 
fact  that  "no  troops  will  be  in  position  north  of  grid  line  82." 

At  4:30  P.M.  Major  Allen  issued  the  orders  for  the  with- 
drawal of  all  troops  from  the  front  line  and  about  6  P.M.  the 
movement  began^'^'^  under  protection  of  the  patrols  extending 
as  far  as  the  second  exploitation  objective.  The  machine  gun 
units  accompanied  or  remained  in  place  with  the  infantry  bat- 
talions, depending  upon  the  position  assigned. ^"^^  Fortunately 
the  enemy's  artillery  was  comparatively  inactive  that  night 
and  the  entire  operation  was  successfully  effected  before  day- 
light without  appreciable  losses. ^'''- 

Aside  from  the  usual  trench  routine,  that  Sunday  was  a 
day  of  rest  for  the  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  and  Com- 
pany A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  in  the  Tranchee  du 
Cable  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  as  well  as  for  the  1st  and 
2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  Company  D,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  and  the  1st  Battalion,  104th  Field  Artillery,  in 
the  trenches  in  the  neighborhood  of  Consenvoye. ^^^ 

That  night  terminated  the  active  operations  of  the  66th 
Brigade  in  the  advanced  positions  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Meuse    and,    apropos   of   them,    the    Colonel   of   the    131st 


138  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Infantry,  who  was  in  command  of  the  front-hne  troops,  makes 
the  following  trenchant  comments  in  his  report  i^"^"* 

It  was  unfortunate  that  the  troops  on  the  right  in  this 
attack  were  unable  to  make  progress  as  their  advance  would 
have  insured  the  taking  of  strong  positions  on  the  Haraumont 
Ridge.  Our  troops  were  three  times  on  the  final  objective 
overlooking  the  ridge  and  were  obliged  to  fall  back  for  lack 
of  support  to  prevent  being  cut  to  pieces.  The  morning  of 
Oct.  10,  enemy  forces  appeared  to  be  in  confusion  and  hastily 
fled  before  our  advance. ^^^  When  the  advance  was  not  fol- 
lowed up  machine  gun  detachments  worked  back  through  the 
woods  on  our  open  flank  in  continually  increasing  numbers, 
becoming  very  bold.  It  was  not  deemed  advisable  to  shell 
and  gas  the  woods  on  the  right  except  as  a  last  resort  for  fear 
of  interfering  with  troops  which  were  attempting  to  come 
forward  and  also  [owing  to]  the  danger  of  involving  other 
troops  occupying  lines  at  the  angle. 

On  the  right  bank  of  the  Meuse  were  three  units  belong- 
ing to  the  66th  Brigade,  Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  in  the  sector  held  by  the  130th  Infantry  and  the  3rd 
Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  132nd  Infantry,  which 
were  detached  from  the  Ilird  Corps  and  were  relieved  in  the 
Bois  de  Foret  during  the  night  of  October  14.^'^*' 

The  depleted  65th  Brigade,  in  the  sector  facing  north 
along  the  left  bank  of  the  Meuse  and  extending  from  the  Bois 
la  Ville  to  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  spent  a  day  of 
customary  trench  routine,  enlivened  by  the  spasmodic  bursts  of 
shelling  to  which  it  was  subjected. ^'^"  Two  platoons  from  the 
2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  were  sent  to  occupy  the  posi- 
tion between  Dannevoux  and  the  road  leading  to  Consenvoye, 
and  during  the  night  of  October  13-14  patrols  were  sent  out 
along  the  entire  front  line,^^^  while  Company  C,  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  was  withdrawn  from  the  Bois  d'en 
Dela  and  marched  to  the  trenches  half  a  kilometer  south  of 
Consenvoye,  arriving  about  dawn  on  October  H.^*^^ 

The  usual  routine  in  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  at 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  139 

La  Hutte  in  the  damp  Bois  Bourrus  was  relieved  by  two 
events  which  require  chronicling.  The  first  was  the  issuance 
at  6  P.M.  of  Addendum  No.  1  to  Field  Order  No.  29  of 
October  10.^^*^  This  addendum  ordered  the  mutual  transfer 
of  the  65th  and  66th  Brigades,  together  with  the  command, 
to  the  east  and  west  banks  of  the  Meuse  respectively. ^^^  For 
this  purpose  the  necessary  reliefs  were  to  begin  on  the  night 
of  October  14-15  and  to  be  effected  so  long  as  the  darkness 
continued,  such  reliefs  as  were  unfinished  that  night  to  be  com- 
pleted the  ensuing  night.  Utilizing  the  Consenvoye  bridge, 
the  132nd  Infantry  was  to  relieve  the  units  of  the  65th  Bri- 
gade, which  were  in  turn  to  proceed  directly  to  the  east  bank, 
and  a  similar  relief  of  the  elements  of  the  66th  Brigade  on  the 
right  bank  was  to  be  effected  by  the  65th  Brigade.  The  two 
brigadiers  were  directed  to  make  such  adjustment  as  would 
return  the  machine  gun  units  to  their  respective  commands,  and 
the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  to  be  placed  in  reserve 
in  the  Bois  de  Forges.  The  relief  on  the  east  bank  was  to  be 
under  the  supervision  of  the  commanding  general,  65th  Bri- 
gade; that  on  the  west  bank  under  the  66th  Brigade  com- 
mander; and  all  details  in  connection  with  these  reliefs  were 
directed  to  be  arranged  during  daylight  on  October  14. 
Apropos  of  the  system  of  defense  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Meuse,  the  construction  of  which  had  been  ordered  on  October 
10,  particular  emphasis  was  laid  upon  the  fact  that: 

Par.  3  (a)  (1),  Field  Order  No.  29,  with  reference  to 
line  of  Resistance  in  right  sector,  will  be  strictly  carried  out, 
adjustment  only  being  made  to  connect  up  with  the  Line  of 
Resistance  of  the  troops  of  the  29th  Division  on  the  right. 
Care  will  be  taken  to  avoid  any  ugly  salients  in  the  Line  as 
assumed. 

The  second  event  of  importance  was  the  receipt  that 
evening  of  the  corps  instructions  for  the  operations  of  the 


140  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

morrow,  which  was  sufficiently  brief  to  be  quoted  in  extenso. 
It  ran  as  follows : 

Hdqrs.,  the  13  October,  1918. 
1st  Army  U.  S. 
17th  Army  Corps. 

Staff 
3rd  Bureau 
No.  606-S/3. 

Order  No.  8 
I.  The  line  attained  at  the  end  of  the  day  passes  through 

N.  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  Ravin  du  Plat-Chene, 
Richene,  South  edge  of  la  Clairiere  de  la  Ferme  MoUe- 
ville,  Ravin  de  Molleville,  Ravin  de  la  Reine,  S.  edge  of 
the  Bois  de  Chenes  as  far  as  the  point  78.07,  North  edge 
of  the  Bois  d'Ormont  at  79.05,  line  traversing  the  wood 
from  that  point  to  84.02,  Tranchee  de  Koutahia  as  far 
as  86.00,  (and)  from  this  point  the  line  attained  the 
12th  October. 
II.  During  the  course  of  tomorrow,  14th,  the  29th  I.  D. 

U.  S.,  the  18th  I.  D.  (and  U.  S.  elements  attached  to  it) 
and  the  26th  I.  D.  will  resume  the  preparations  of  their 
particular  operations  prescribed  by  Order  No.  7  of  the 
12th  October. 

The  18th  I.  D.  will  be  Icept  informed  of  the  means 
of  fresh  infantry  which  will  be  given  it. 

III.  The  10th  C.  I.  D.  will  continue  the  organization  of 
the  disposition  prescribed  by  Note  No.  596-S/3  of  the 
12th  October. 

IV.  Mission  unchanged  for  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 

V.  Attention  is  called  to    the    precautions   to    be    taken 

against  enemy  firing  with  gas  shells. 

It  is  particularly  important  that  masks  be  put  on 
and  not  removed  until  the  proper  time  and  that  standing 
still  at  points  shelled  with  mustard  gas  be  carefully 
avoided. 

The  General  Commanding  the  17th  A.  C. 
H.  Claudel. 

Monday,  October  14,  1918,  was  a  comparatively  quiet 
day  on  the  front  of  the  17th  French  Army  Corps,  although 
there  was  a  fair  amount  of  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire  on 


^  jhM 


JVITH  THE  FRENCH  141 

both  sides. ^^^  In  the  direction  of  the  Bois  d'Ormont  there  was 
a  comparative  lull  in  the  desperate  struggle  for  the  possession 
of  that  wood,  but  the  enemy  artillery  was  sufficiently  active  in 
that  direction  to  cause  the  29th  Division  to  call  upon  the  artil- 
lery of  the  iSth  French  Division^^^  that  afternoon  for  support 
for  its  57th  Brigade. 

For  the  33rd  Division  the  day  was  likewise  quiet  and  was 
principally  devoted  to  preparations  for  the  mutual  relief  to  be 
effected  that  night  between  the  65th  Brigade  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Meuse  and  the  66th  Brigade  on  the  east  bank.  Aside 
from  the  transfer  of  the  P.  C.  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion 
from  Hill  281  to  the  trenches  south  of  Consenvoye,^^^  there 
were  no  changes  of  position  by  the  65th  Brigade  during  the 
hours  of  daylight,  but  that  morning  the  3rd  Battalion,  132nd 
Infantry,  which  had  been  operating  with  various  units  of  the 
Ilird  Corps  since  October  4  and  which  had  been  relieved  in 
the  Bois  de  Foret  during  the  preceding  night,  appeared  and 
took  position  close  to  the  brigade  P.  C.  at  Hill  281,  near  which 
was  Company  C,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

On  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  the  withdrawal  to  the 
newly  constructed  main  line  of  resistance  and  the  various 
reliefs  and  changes  of  position  made  in  consequence  have 
already  been  described.  On  the  morning  of  October  14,  that 
system  of  defense  was  occupied  by  the  3rd  Battalion,  130th 
Infantry,  on  the  west  and  by  the  2nd  Battalion,  129th  In- 
fantry, in  the  eastern  subsector,^^^  its  right  in  liaison  at  Merid- 
ian 24  with  the  115th  Infantry  of  the  58th  Infantry  Brigade, 
thus  forming  a  concave  arc  from  the  eastern  extremity  of  the 
Tranchee  de  I'Hopital  across  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  the  Bois 
Plat-Chene  to  the  point  where  the  forty-centimeter  line  crossed 
Meridian  24.^^*^  The  hne  was  additionally  defended  by  Com- 
panies A  and  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion, ^^'^  supple- 
mented later  in  the  day  by  the  machine  gun  company  of  the 


142  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

129th  Infantry,^^^  and  the  entire  front  was  covered  by  patrols 
extending  as  far  forward  as  the  ridge  overlooking  the  second 
exploitation  objective,  as  well  as  on  both  flanks. ^^^  The  2nd 
Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  131st  Infantry, 
constituting  the  support  in  the  Tranchee  du  Cable  south  of 
the  Bois  de  Chaume  was  completely  relieved  at  8  :20  P.M.  by 
the  3rd  BattaHon,  129th  Infantry, ^''°  which  during  the  day 
had  occupied  the  trenches  south  of  Consenvoye,^^^  together 
with  the  1st  Battalion  of  the  same  regiment,^^-  and  the  1st 
and  3rd  Battalions,  131st  Infantry. ^^^  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
the  trenches  in  the  neighborhood  of  Consenvoye  were  filled 
that  day  with  troops  of  the  33rd  Division  and  in  the  total 
were  included,  in  addition  to  the  above,  the  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  Companies  A,  B,  and  D;  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion;  the  1st  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry;  and 
three  batteries  of  the  104th  Field  Artillery.^'^-' 

The  guns  of  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  were  silent 
during  the  morning  with  the  exception  of  the  155-millimeter 
howitzers,  which  supported  the  front  of  the  29th  Division 
with  accompanying  fire  across  the  Ravin  de  Moyemont  and 
along  the  eastern  end  of  La  Vaux  de  Mille  Mais  from  7  :20  to 
8  A.M.  and  indulged  in  adjustment  fire  lasting  from  9:30  A.M. 
until  2  p.M.^''^  Later  in  the  afternoon  there  was  con- 
siderable counterbattery  work,  especially  against  the  enemy 
guns  near  the  Villeneuve  Ferme,  and  covering  fire  to  protect 
the  construction  of  trench  mortar  emplacements  on  the  Danne- 
voux  ridge,  ending  after  10:20  P.M.  with  firing  on  the 
Magenta  Ferme  at  the  request  of  the  commander  of  the  158th 
Field  Artillery  Brigade  (29th  Division)  .^»« 

At  10:30  A.M.  the  commanding  general  of  the  66th  Bri- 
gade issued  his  orders  for  the  reciprocal  relief  between  his 
troops  and  those  of  the  65th  Brigade  on  the  opposite  bank,^^"^ 
and  at  8:20  p.m.  the  3rd  Battahon,  129th  Infantry,  relieved 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  143 

the  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  131st  Infantry, 
in  the  trenches  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume.^^^  The  1st  and 
2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  together  with  Company  D, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  marched  across  the  Consen- 
voye  bridge,  were  joined  later  by  the  3rd  Battalion  of  that 
regiment,  and  relieved  two  battalions  and  the  machine  gun 
company  of  the  130th  Infantry  in  the  Dannevoux — Bois  de  la 
Cote  Lemont  sector  ;^^^  these  units  in  turn  proceeded  during 
the  course  of  the  night  to  Consenvoye;-"^  and  at  8  :45  P.M.  the 
command  of  the  entire  forward  sector  of  the  33rd  Division 
on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  passed  from  Major  Allen  to 
the  command  of  Colonel  Myer  of  the  129th  Infantry. -'^^  This 
latter  officer  had  been  placed  in  charge  of  an  operation  to  be 
made  next  day  by  certain  troops  of  the  65th  Brigade  acting  in 
conjunction  with  the  29th  Division,  which  was  to  undertake 
to  reach  its  first  exploitation  objective,-^-  and  that  evening 
Issued  his  instructions  accordingly.  His  operation  order 
directed  the  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  to  advance  to  an 
objective  which  may  be  described  as  a  line  originating  at  a 
point  on  the  northern  slope  of  the  Ravin  de  la  Vaux  de  Mille 
Mais,  about  four  hundred  meters  southeast  of  the  Chapelle 
St.  Pantaleon,  and  extending  thence  past  the  houses  at  the 
western  end  of  La  Vaux  de  Mille  Mais  to  Meridian  24.  Com- 
bat liaison  with  the  115th  Infantry  (58th  Brigade)  was  to  be 
maintained  by  Company  L,  129th  Infantry,  and  a  section  from 
Company  A,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion.  Whenever  pos- 
sible, the  movement  was  to  be  supported  by  fire  from  the  left 
company  of  the  2nd  Battalion  and  from  the  3rd  Battalion, 
130th  Infantry,  which  were  to  remain  In  their  actual  posi- 
tions, while  the  reserve  was  to  be  constituted  by  the  1st  and 
3rd  Battalions,  129th  Infantry,  less  certain  detachments  in  the 
case  of  the  former  and  less  Companies  K  and  L  of  the  latter. 


144  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

The  troops  were  directed  to  be  in  place  at  7  A.M  and  the  zero 
hour  was  announced  as  8  A.M.-^^ 

Although  it  was  not  until  the  ensuing  day  that  the  com- 
mand of  the  sector  of  the  33rd  Division  east  of  the  Meuse 
officially  passed  to  the  Commanding  General  of  the  65th  In- 
fantry Brigade,  and  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  all  the  troops  of 
the  66th  Brigade  did  not  leave  the  right  bank  until  the  morn- 
ing of  October  15,  so  far  as  the  latter  brigade  was  concerned 
its  active  operations  east  of  the  river  terminated  on  the  even- 
ing of  October  14.  Its  achievements  during  the  seven  days 
commencing  on  October  8  with  the  advance  of  the  forces 
under  the  command  of  Colonel  Davis,  132nd  Infantry,  are 
thus  admirably  summarized  by  the  commanding  general  of  the 
66th  Infantry  Brigade  r°^ 

During  the  period  October  9th  to  12th,  our  troops  were 
three  times  in  force  on  the  final  objective  (2nd  "Exploitation" 
Objective)  and  ready  to  continue  their  advance  but  were 
unable  to  do  so  because  of  our  exposed  right  flank  1  .ach 
time  the  enemy  saw  the  opportunity  to  attack  on  our  right  anii 
took  quick  advantage  of  it. 

Machine  Gun  Companies  attached  to  our  Battalions  ful- 
filled their  missions  and  did  excellent  work  in  repelling  counter 
attacks. "^^ 

During  these  operations  our  liaison  throughout  the  Bri- 
gade was  excellent  and  we  were  at  all  times  able  to  communi- 
cate by  telephone  with  the  Battalions  engaged. 

The  Officers  and  men  of  the  Medical  Corps  deserve 
praise  from  all  ranks  for  their  bravery  and  industry  during 
this  action.-"" 

From  October  9th  to  15th,  our  troops  were  constantly 
subjected  to  very  heavy  fire  from  Artillery  and  machine  guns, 
gas,  airplane  attacks  and  fire  from  snipers.  The  difficulty  of 
getting  food  to  those  in  the  line  was  very  great  owing  to  the 
presence  of  mustard  gas,  and  to  add  to  their  discomfort  it 
rained  nearly  every  day.  The  above  difficulties  combined  with 
lack  of  opportunity  to  sleep  were  serious  in  themselves  but  the 
men  hung  on  without  complaining  and  without  thought- of  giv- 


WITH  THE  FRENCH  145 

ing  an  inch  unless  ordered  to  do  so.  They  showed  conclusively 
the  magnificent  spirit  of  the  American  troops.  Their  fortitude 
under  adverse  conditions  will  always  remain  an  example  of 
heroic  valor  worthy  of  emulation. 

During  these  operations  the  66th  Brigade  was  con- 
fronted by  the  1st  Austro-Hungarian  Division,  supported  by 
German  machine  guns,  gunners,  and  minenwerfers,  the 
232nd  German  Reserve  Infantry  Regiment  and  the  105th 
German  "Sturm"  Battalion, -^'^  from  which  approximately  24 
officers  and  1,002  men  were  taken  prisoners.-"^  The  booty 
was  considerable — 2  pieces  of  heavy  artillery,  14  guns  (77- 
millimeter),  4  trench  mortars,  11  anti-tank  guns,  136  machine 
guns,  19  Lewis  automatic  rifles,  205  rifles',  100  rounds  of  trench 
mortar  ammunition,  1,750  rounds  of  77-millimeter  ammuni- 
tion, 30,000  rounds  of  Lewis  gun  ammunition,  72,000  rounds 
of  small-arms  ammunition,  1,000  stick  grenades,  together  with 
a  large  quantity  of  clothing,  shoes,  and  other  equipment. -"'' 
These  results  were,  obviously,  not  achieved  without  loss,  par- 
ticularly in  view  of  the  exceptional  strength  of  the  enemy  posi- 
tions attacked  and  the  incessant  shell  and  machine-gun  fire, 
gas,  aeroplane  raids,  and  counterattacks  to  which  the  66th 
Brigade  was  subjected.  Two  officers  and  53  men  were  killed; 
7  officers  and  597  men  were  wounded;  but,  in  addition, 
gassing,  exhaustion  and  other  causes  necessitated  the  evacua- 
tion to  hospitals  of  not  less  than  643  men,-^°  thus  making  the 
total  casualties  for  those  seven  days  1,302. 

Beyond  the  usual  routine  incident  to  such  circumstances, 
the  principal  events  of  importance  that  day  in  the  P.  C.  of  the 
33rd  Division  were  the  issuance  of  two  training  circulars-^^ 
and  Confidential  Memorandum  No.  20  laying  particular  em- 
phasis upon  the  necessity  for  economy  in  the  consumption  of 
artillery  ammunition,  and  the  receipt  that  evening  of  two 
orders  from  the  Commander  of  the  17th  French  Army  Corps. 
The  operation  order-^-  announced  that  the  line  reached  that 

(10) 


146  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

day  was  broadly  that  of  October  13,  except  that  there  had  been 
an  advance  in  the  Bols  d'Ormont,  and  that  the  "29th  U.  S.  In- 
fantry Division  will  execute  at  8  A.M.  the  prescribed  operation 
on  the  Grande  Montagne."  The  33rd  American  and  the  18th 
French  Divisions  were  to  support  this  operation;  the  missions 
of  the  26th  French  and  10th  Colonial  Divisions  remained  un- 
changed; and  the  18th  Division  was  to  be  relieved  by  the  26th 
American  Division  which  had  been  placed  at  the  disposal  of 
the  Corps  Commander.  The  second  order-^^  gave  detailed 
instructions  for  the  operation  next  day  in  which  the  29th 
Division,  jumping  off  at  8  a.m.,  was  to  get  possession  by  sur- 
prise of  the  fortified  area  constituting  the  clearing  of  the 
Molleville  Ferme  and  its  eastern  and  western  outskirts,  and  to 
advance  to  the  first  exploitation  objective,  where  it  was  to 
organize  immediately  a  line  of  resistance.  The  artillery  of 
the  33rd  and  18th  Divisions  was  to  be  coordinated  with  that 
of  the  29th  and  supported  by  the  guns  of  the  17th  Army 
Corps,  the  preparation  fire  beginning  at  7:30  A.M.  The  fol- 
lowing instructions  were  given  for  the  flanking  divisions : 

The  33rd  U.  S.  and  the  18th  Infantry  Divisions,  aside 
from  the  assistance  of  their  artillery  directed  in  the  plan  of 
employment,  will  push  forward  respectively  their  right  and 
left  elements  so  as  to  accompany  the  attack  of  the  2^.'th  U.  S 
Infantry  Division  and  in  order  to  insure  the  continuity  of  the 
new  front  attained. ^^"^ 


VI.    OPERATIONS    WITH     THE     17TH     FRENCH 

ARMY  CORPS  ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE, 

OCTOBER  15  UNTIL  RELIEF 

On  Tuesday,  October  15,  1918,  the  mutual  relief  be- 
tween the  65th  and  66th  Infantry  Brigades  was  completed. 
Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  relief  of  the  1st  and  2nd 
Battalions  and  the  Machine  Gun  Company  of  the  130th  In- 
fantry by  the  132nd  Infantry  and  Company  D,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  during  the  night  of  October  14-15.^  As  the 
distance  from  the  trenches  east  of  Consenvoye  to  those  in 
the  Bols  la  VlUe  was  about  seven  kilometers,  while  those 
In  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  were  fully  four  kilometers  far- 
ther, considerable  time  was  consumed  by  both  the  relieving 
troops  and  those  relieved  in  covering  this  distance.  It  was 
long  after  dark  when  the  operation  was  begun  and  late  when 
it  was  finished.^  At  Its  completion  the  130th  Infantry  marched 
by  way  of  the  Bois  de  Forges,  crossed  by  the  bridge  leading  to 
Consenvoye,  turned  south,  and  took  position  in  the  Tranchee 
de  Magabe.^ 

During  the  night  of  October  14-15,  the  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  and  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, had  left  their  stations  In  the  vicinity  of  Consenvoye 
and  crossed  to  the  Bois  de  Forges,*  where  Company  C  of  the 
latter  battalion  was  in  position.^ 

The  131st  Infantry  left  Its  positions  In  the  neighborhood 
of  Consenvoye,  crossed  during  the  morning  to  the  west  bank, 
and  at  noon  Colonel  Sanborn,  acting  for  General  Wolf,  turned 
over  the  command  of  the  sector  of  the  33rd  Division  east  of 

147 


148  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

the  Meuse  to  General  King  of  the  65th  Brigade.  As  the  13 1st 
Infantry  was  destined  to  compose  the  reserve  of  the  66th 
Brigade,  it  had  been  assigned  positions  In  the  Bols  de  Forges 
and  the  trench  system  extending  from  the  southern  point  of 
that  wood  westward  across  the  Bethlncourt — Gercourt-et- 
Drillancourt  road.^  Upon  reaching  their  destination,  the  tired 
soldiers  were  made  as  comfortable  as  possible ;  supplies  were 
issued  to  them,  and  they  were  given  some  much-needed 
clothing. ''^ 

Meanwhile,  on  the  east  bank,  part  of  the  17th  Army 
Corps  was  engaged  in  another  attack.  At  7 :30  A.M.  the 
artillery  of  the  33rd,  29th,- and  18th  French  Divisions,  sup- 
ported by  the  corps  guns,  opened  with  preparation  firc,^  and  at 
8  o'clock  the  29th  Division  launched  Its  attack.  Simultane- 
ously, the  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  advanced  under 
heavy  shell  and  machine-gun  fire  to  its  objective  one  thousand 
yards  to  the  front,  maintaining  combat  liaison  with  the  115th 
Infantry  (58th  Brigade)  on  its  right  by  means  of  a  detach- 
ment consisting  of  Company  L  and  a  section  of  Company  A, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion.  The  left  company  of  that 
battalion  and  the  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  made  no 
movement  but  supported  the  attack  by  fire,  while  the  1st  Bat- 
tahon,  129th  Infantry,  joined  the  3rd  Battalion  of  that  regi- 
ment in  the  trenches  south  of  the  Bols  de  Chaume  at  7  A.M. 
and  these  two  units  constituted  the  reserve.  As  a  matter  of 
fact,  the  29th  Division  encountered  such  strong  enemy 
machine-gun  nests,  that  it  was  quite  unable  to  reach  its  first 
exploitation  objective;  indeed,  it  made  practically  no  advance, 
except  that  it  did  succeed  In  getting  possession  of  the  line  of 
works  along  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bols  de  la  Grande  Mon- 
tagne.^  In  consequence,  the  advanced  position  of  the  2nd  Bat- 
talion, 129th  Infantry,  on  Its  objective  was  perilously  exposed 
and  It  had  no  alternative  but  to  fall  back  to  its  former  position 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  149 

near  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  Plat-Chene  and  to  make 
preparations  for  a  resumption  of  the  advance  next  day.^*^ 

The  conclusion  of  this  operation  found  the  advanced 
troops  of  the  65th  Brigade  in  the  same  positions  as  those 
which  they  had  occupied  early  that  morning,  that  is,  the  3rd 
Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  in  the  trenches  of  the  main  line  of 
resistance  extending  from  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de 
Chaume  at  the  extremity  of  the  Tranchee  de  I'Hopital  to  Grid 
line  23,  its  front  prolonged  eastward  to  Meridian  24  by  the 
2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  and  the  entire  position  pro- 
tected by  a  distribution  of  the  machine  gun  company  of  this 
latter  regiment^^  and  Companies  A  and  D,  123rd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion.  In  their  rear  the  1st  Battalion  on  the  left  and 
the  3rd  Battalion  on  the  right  occupied  the  south  of  the  Bois 
de  Chaume  and  the  Bois  Plat-Chene  as  far  east  as 
Meridian  24.^-  The  advance  that  day  accomplished  nothing 
except  in  so  far  as  it  served  as  a  diversion;  it  resulted  in  a  loss 
of  thirty-nine  killed  and  wounded. ^^ 

The  P.  C.  of  the  65th  Brigade  was  transferred  from  Hill 
281  to  a  dugout  in  the  Tranchee  de  Heraclee  southeast  of 
Consenvoye.^^  In  its  immediate  neighborhood  were  the  1st  and 
2nd  Battalions  and  the  Machine  Gun  Company  of  the  130th 
Infantry,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, ^°  and 
the  1st  Battalion  Headquarters  and  three  batteries  of  the 
104th  Field  Artillery.^e 

From  6  until  11  a.m.  the  enemy  artillery  shelled  the 
neighborhood  of  Consenvoye  and  during  the  afternoon  and 
night  devoted  considerable  attention  with  his  77s  and  150- 
millimeter  howitzers  to  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  the  Consen- 
voye-Etraye  road  as  far  as  Meridian  24,  incidentally  flooding 
that  portion  just  east  of  the  former  place  with  gas  about 
7  :30  P.M.  The  Allied  artillery  responded  with  counterbattery 
and  harassing  fire  but,^^  in  the  33rd  Division,  the  principal 


150  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

activity  was  confined  to  the  supporting  group,  whereas  the  rest 
of  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  spent  an  exceptionally 
quiet  day.^^ 

The  night  of  October  15-16  was  characterized  by  the 
relief  of  Company  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  in  the 
Bois  de  Dannevoux  sector  by  Company  D,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion, ^^  and  by  the  transfer  of  two  artillery  units  to 
more  advanced  positions,  the  2nd  Battalion,  104th  Field 
Artillery,  moving  from  the  southwest  corner  of  the  Bois  de 
Forges  to  the  wood  situated  between  the  Bois  Jure  and  the 
Bois  de  Septsarges,  north  of  the  Ruisseau  de  Menomme,-"  and 
the  1st  Battahon,  106th  Field  Artillery  (155s),  proceeding 
from  its  stations  north  of  the  Forges-Bethincourt  road  to  the 
southwestern  part  of  the  Bois  Sachet.-^ 

In  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  at  La  Hutte,  that 
Tuesday  was  singularly  devoid  of  interesting  features  until  the 
arrival  that  evening  of  two  communications  from  the  Corps 
Headquarters  at  Regret.    The  first  ran  as  follows : 

Hdqrs.  the  15th  October,  1918. 
IstU.  S.  A. 
17th  Army  Corps 

Staff 
3rd  Bureau 
No.  626-S/3 

Order  No.  10 

I.  No  change  in  the  line  reached  the  14th  October,  except 
in  the  region  of  the  Grande  Montagne  where  the  29th 
I.  D.  U.  S.  has  realized  some  progress.  (Information 
still  uncertain) . 

II.  Tomorrow  16th  October,  29th  I.  D.  U.  S.:  mission  will 
depend  upon  the  results  of  the  action  of  the  15th. 

33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. :  retains  its  mission  in  respect  to  the 
29th  I.  D.  U.  S. 

18th  I.  D. :  will  execute  the  operation  prescribed  in 
its  Special  Order  No.  881/3  of  the  14th  October,  with 
the  object   of   getting   possession    of    the    head    of    the 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  151 

ravines  to  the  N.  E.  of  the  Bois  d'Haumont. 

26th  I.  D. :  will  support  the  action  of  the  1 8th  I.  D. 
under  the  conditions  fixed  by  the  latter. 

Will  also  maintain    close    contact    along    its    entire 
front. 

The  General  commanding  the  26th  I.  D.  will  realize,  as 
quickly  as  possible,  a  disposition  in  depth  corresponding  to  a 
close  frontal  contact,  and  no  longer  to  a  mission  of  attack. 
10th  C.  /.  D. :     Mission  unchanged. 

(Signed)  Claudel. 
By  authorization.      Chief  of  Staff 
Metourneur. 

The  second  communication  read  thus: 

Headquarters  the  15th  October,  1918. 
17th  Army  Corps 

Staff 
1st  Bureau. 

General  Order  No.  135. 

Officers,  non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
29th  and  33rd  Infantry  Divisions,  U.  S.,  18th,  26th  Infantry 
Divisions  and  10th  Colonial  Infantry  Division: 

You  have  conquered  la  Wavrille,  the  Bois  de  Caures  and 
that  of  Haumont.  You  have  attained  the  crest  of  I'Ormont 
and  got  beyond  le  Richene  and  the  Bois  de  Chaume. 

The  Austro-Germans  have  lost,  on  an  arc  of  15  kilo- 
meters, these  arrogant  observatories  which  had  defied  the 
heroic  defenders  of  Verdun. 

The  8th  October  you  advanced  with  a  magnificent  dash 
over  formidable  glacis  and  across  powerful  and  deeply  organ- 
ized works. 

On  the  following  days  you  pursued  a  stubborn  advance 
which  overcame  all  the  enemy's  counter-attacks;  you  compelled 
him  to  bring  up  in  haste  numerous  re-enforcements  which  did 
not  succeed  in  taking  from  you  one  inch  of  ground. 

5,800  prisoners,  more  than  50  guns,  machine  guns  and 
materiel  not  yet  counted,  are  the  booty  of  these  fine  actions. 

All  of  you.  Infantrymen,  Artillerymen,  Engineers,  Avia- 
tors, Staffs  and  Services,  have  had  your  part  in  the  success. 

American  soldiers,  French  soldiers  white  and  black,  you 
have  rivalled  one  another  in  valor  and  in  the  comradeship  of 


152  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

fighting  to  loosen  the  grip  which  still  afflicts  our  immortal  city. 
I  am  proud  to  have  commanded  you. 

The  General  commanding  the  XVII  Army  Corps, 

H.  Claudel. 

On  Wednesday,  October  16,  1918,  the  attack  of  the  17th 
Army  Corps  was  renewed  and  was  attended  with  more  success 
on  the  part  of  the  29th  Division  than  heretofore,  inasmuch  as 
it  managed,  after  hard  fighting,  to  carry  the  strongly  organ- 
ized enemy  works  in  the  clearing  at  the  Molleville  Ferme  and 
to  push  its  left  forward  to  the  first  exploitation  objective. ^^ 
Its  movement  was  seconded  by  its  own  guns  and  those  of  the 
artillery  group  under  Colonel  Smith,^^  the  18th  French  Divi- 
sion and  the  corps,  while  its  flanks  were  protected  by 
advances  on  the  east  and  west  by  the  troops  of  the  18th  and 
33rd  Divisions  respectively.  In  the  case  of  the  latter  this 
movement  was  made  by  the  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, 
beginning  at  9:30  A.M.,  and  close  liaison  was  maintained  on 
this  occasion  with  the  58th  Brigade.  In  consequence  this 
battahon  reached  its  objective  about  1  P.M.  and  promptly 
proceeded  to  consolidate  its  new  position.-^  Its  attack  was 
duly  supported  by  the  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  and  by 
the  1st  and  3rd  Battalions  of  its  own  regiment, -"*  and  was 
further  protected  by  Companies  A  and  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  but  none  of  these  made  any  permanent  change  in 
their  former  positions. 

There  was  likewise  no  change  of  station  on  the  part  of 
the  1st  and  2nd  Battalions  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  130th 
Infantry,  nor  on  that  of  the  1st  Battalion  headquarters  and 
three  batteries  of  the  104th  Field  Artillery  in  the  trenches 
south  and  southeast  of  Consenvoye.-''  That  morning  Company 
B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  which  had  been  relieved  in 
the  Bois  de  Dannevoux  during  the  preceding  night,  made  a 


J  STRIDE  THE  MEUSE  153 

short  halt  in  this  area  but  later  in  the  day  proceeded  to  a  posi- 
tion farther  in  the  rear  near  Brabant.-'^ 

In  the  left  sector  of  the  33rd  Division  west  of  the  Meuse 
the  advanced  trenches  in  the  Bois  la  Ville,  Bois  de  Danne- 
voux,  and  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  were  held  by  the  132nd 
Infantry,-'**  reenforced  by  Companies  C  and  D,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  the  former  having  relieved  Company  B,  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  the  night  before.-^  In  their  rear  the 
entire  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  with  the  exception  of  the 
1st  Battalion,  104th  Field  Artillery  (75s)  near  Consenvoye, 
was  grouped  within  a  triangle  the  apex  of  which  was  formed 
by  the  wood  between  the  Bois  Jure  and  the  Bois  de  Septsarges 
and  the  base  by  that  part  of  the  Cuisy — Gercourt-et-Drillan- 
court  road  extending  from  the  latter  village  westward  to  a 
point  two  kilometers  distant  and  south  of  the  Bois  d'en  Dela.^° 
Less  than  a  kilometer  west  and  slightly  north  of  this  point  is 
Cote  262,  which  was  occupied  that  day  by  Company  A,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion, ^^  while  the  reserve  of  the  66th  Bri- 
gade comprised  the  131st  Infantry  in  the  trenches  east  of  Cote 
281  extending  as  far  as  the  Bois  de  Forges, ^^  which  was  gar- 
risoned by  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion, ^^  and  south  of 
it  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion.^* 

Save  for  the  support  given  to  the  29th  Division  by  the 
special  artillery  group,  divisional  guns  were  in  action  very 
little  that  rainy  day.^-^  The  enemy,  however,  shelled  the  Bois 
de  Chaume  and  the  front  lines  east  of  the  Meuse  during  the 
afternoon  as  well  as  the  Bois  Jure,  the  Bois  de  Forges,  and 
various  other  spots  and  roads  in  the  division  area  on  both 
banks,  continuing  his  firing  intermittently  throughout  the 
night  of  October  16-17.^*^ 

Aside  from  an  important  memorandum  dealing  with  hot 
meals,  blankets,  and'  proper  clothing  for  the  troops  in  the 
trenches,^'^  there  was  no  incident  in  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Divi- 


154  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

sion  worthy  of  note.  During  the  evening  Order  No.  1 1  was 
received  from  the  17th  Army  Corps, ^^  which  announced  the 
"front  unchanged  except  in  the  sector  of  the  29th  I.  D.,  U.  S. 
This  latter  has  captured  by  hard  fighting  the  organized  region 
of  the  Clearing  of  Molleville."  For  October  17  the  33rd 
Division  was  directed  to  "continue  to  lend  by  its  right  the 
assistance  which  will  be  asked  of  it  by  the  29th  I.  D.  U.  S." 
which  was  in  turn  ordered  to  "pursue  its  advance  methodically 
by  its  left  (region  of  the  Ravin  de  Moyemont  and  les  Rapps) 
in  haison  with  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S."  The  relief  of  the  18th 
French  Division  by  the  26th  American  Division  was  to  con- 
tinue; the  26th  French  Division  was  to  maintain  contact  as 
usual;  and  the  10th  Colonial  Infantry  Division  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  33rd  French  Army  Corps,  The  final  paragraph 
contained  the  following  instructions : 

III.  The  present  conditions  of  temperature  require  that 
measures  indispensible  for  the  conservation  of  effectives 
be  everywhere  taken : 

(a)  Echelonment  of  troops — utilization  of  all  shelters 
— interior  reliefs  at  the  proper  time. 

(b)  Make  every  effort  to  procure  warm  food  and  drinks 
for  all  effectives. 

On  Thursday,  October  17,  1918,  the  29th  Division 
effected  a  notable  advance  through  the  Bois  de  la  Grande 
Montagne,  which  brought  it  to  the  summit  of  those  heights. 
On  the  east  the  18th  French  Division,  in  the  process  of  relief 
by  the  26th  American  Division,  lent  such  assistance  as  was 
necessary  to  protect  that  flank  and  similarly  on  the  west  the 
troops  of  the  6Sth  Brigade  secured  its  left.  The  rain  of  the 
two  preceding  days  continued  with  little  interruption,  as  did 
the  heavy  shell  and  machine  gun  fire,^^  and  the  units  in  the 
main  line  of  resistance  in  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  the  Bois 
Plat-Chene  spent  the  day  in  improving  their  positions,  a  num- 
ber of  men  being  killed  or  wounded  at  their  work."*^     That 


REVETMENT  AND  CAMOUFLAGE FORGES   ROAD 


"C'V 


CU.MIHRES FORGES    ROAD    X  EAR    FORGES    CREEK    BRIDGE 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  155 

night  the  1st  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  relieved  the  2nd  Bat- 
talion, 129th  Infantry,  in  the  trenches  in  the  Bois  Plat-Chene,'*^ 
but  some  casualties  resulted  from  the  heavy  artillery 
and  machine-gun  barrage  which  the  enemy  put  down  from  6 
until  9  P.M.  during  this  relief.  A  hostile  aeroplane  flew  over 
the  forward  positions  firing  its  machine  gun  but,  although 
patrols  were  sent  out  to  discover  the  reason,  not  the  slightest 
movement  by  the  enemy  infantry  could  be  detected.^^ 

There  were  no  changes  of  position  by  any  of  the  other 
troops  of  the  65th  Brigade  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  nor 
by  those  of  the  66th  Brigade  west  of  that  river  and,  with  the 
exception  of  some  harassing  and  neutralization  fire  by  the 
105th  Field  Artillery,^^  as  well  as  some  registration  by  the 
howitzers,^'*  that  Thursday  was  a  dies  non  so  far  as  the  52nd 
Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  concerned.*^  On  the  other  hand, 
the  enemy  batteries,  although  quiet  during  the  morning,  as  was 
sometimes  the  case,  were  increasingly  active  during  the  after- 
noon and  evening,  shelling  the  rear  as  well  as  the  forward 
areas,  the  Bois  Sachet,  Bois  Jure,  and  Drillancourt,  and  devot- 
ing considerable  attention  to  Consenvoye  and  Gercourt-et- 
Drillancourt  and  their  immediate  vicinities.'*® 

In  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  at  La  Hutte  three 
events  are  to  be  noted:  the  issuance  of  Confidential  Memo- 
randum No.  22,  directing  that  the  practice  of  exchanging 
machine  guns  in  a  relief  be  discontinued;  the  instructions  to 
the  commander  of  the  65th  Brigade  to  send  patrols  next  day 
to  the  second  exploitation  objective  and  to  report  the  results ;^'^ 
and  the  receipt  that  evening  of  the  following  order : 

At  the  Hdqrs.  the  17  October,  1918. 
1st  U.  S.  a. 
17th  Army  Corps 

Staff 
3rd  Bureau  Order  No.  12 

No.  639-S/3 
I.       The  29th  I.  D.  U.  S.,  pursuing  obstinately  its  success  of 


156  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

yesterday,  has  attained  by  its  left  the  region  of  the  sum- 
mit of  la  Grande  Montagne  (near  Cote  370). 

Our  line  ought  to  be  staked  from  the  West  to  East 
approximately  as  follows :  Ravin  de  la  Vaux  de  Mille- 
Mais— le-Differend— Grande-Montagne— Bois  Bultruy  (at 
60.20) -Ravin  de  Molleville — the  rest  of  the  front 
without  change. 

II.  Tomorrow  18th  October: 

33rd  and  Z9th  I.  D.  U.  S. — in  liaison,  will  insure  the  pos- 
session of  the  terrain  acquired,  will  better  their  situation 
by  the  small  operations  which  they  deem  useful  and  will 
have  all  reconnaissances  made  with  a  view  to  a  resump- 
tion of  the  advance  shortly. 

These  reconnaissances  should  be  specially  oriented 
toward  the  region  of  the  Bois  d'Etrayes,  Bultruy  and 
I'Houppy. 

ISth  I.  D.  and  26  I.  D.  U.  S.     Completion  of  the  relief; 
mission  of  haison  with  the  29th  I.  D.  U.  S.  and  of  recon- 
naissances to  the  North  of  the  ravines  of  Molleville  and 
de  la  Reine. 
26th  I.  D. — Without  change. 

The  General  Commanding  the  17th  A.  C. 
(Signed)   Claudel. 

B.  A.     The  Chief  of  Staff 
R.  Kastler. 

On  Friday,  October  18,  1918,  apart  from  the  sending  of 
patrols  to  the  second  exploitation  objective  for  the  purpose 
of  reconnoitring  the  situation  in  advance  of  the  normal  line  of 
patrols  and  aside  from  the  occasional  sheUing  to  which  the 
troops  continued  to  be  subjected,  no  incident  of  particular 
importance  occurred  in  the  right  sector  of  the  33rd  Division 
east  of  the  Meuse.  The  relief  of  the  2nd  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry,  by  the  1st  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  during  the 
night  of  October  17—18  has  already  been  mentioned. ^^  Upon 
its  completion  the  command  of  the  outpost  and  defense  zones 
passed  from  Colonel  Myer  to  Colonel  Clinnin,^^  and  the  night 
of  October  18-19  witnessed  a  second  relief  whereby  the  3rd 
Battalion,   130th  Infantry,  and  Company  A,  123rd  Machine 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  157 

Gun  Battalion,  were  replaced  in  the  Bois  de  Chaume  by  the 
2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company  of  the  130th  In- 
fantry respectively.^®  Before  dawn  on  October  18  the  2nd 
Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  rejoined  the  rest  of  that  regiment 
in  position  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  the  entire  com- 
mand withdrew  to  the  trenches  south  of  Consenvoye.  Thus 
reunited,  they  acted  as  the  brigade  reserve, -"'^  but  there  were 
no  changes  of  position  on  the  part  of  the  other  troops  of  Gen- 
eral King's  command  that  day.  For  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse  that  Friday  was  even  more 
devoid  of  important  episode. 

The  issuance  of  a  confidential  memorandum  and  two 
training  circulars  constituted  the  principal  events  of  note  in 
the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division,  until  the  receipt  of  an  order 
from  the  17th  Army  Corps  announcing  its  relief  by  the  15th 
Colonial  Division  beginning  on  the  night  of  October  19-20 
and  terminating  on  the  morning  of  October  21.  Warning 
orders  were  consequently  sent  to  the  three  brigades,  the  108th 
Engineers,  the  Train  Headquarters,  and  the  Division  Machine 
Gun  Battalion^-  and,  during  the  evening,  an  operation  order 
was  received  from  the  17th  Army  Corps^^  which  announced 
that  there  were  "no  changes  in  the  line  reached  the  17th 
October"  and  which  gave  the  following  instructions: 

Tomorrow,  19th  October: 

Mission  of  the  Infantry  Divisions  unchanged:  to  con- 
form to  the  provisions  of  Order  No.  12  of  the  17th  October 
insofar  as  concerns  the  reconnaissances  to  be  effected  and  the 
maintenance  of  close  contact.  To  organize  the  conquered  ter- 
rain. The  Generals  commanding  the  26th  and  29th 
I.  D.,  U.  S.,  will  draw  up  the  plans  of  action  asked  for  by 
Secret  Note  No.  650-S/3  of  the  18th  October.^* 

Saturday,  October  19,  1918,  was  a  comparatively  un- 
eventful day  so  far  as  active  operations  by  the  65th  Brigade  on 
the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  were  concerned.    The  relief  of  the 


158  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  and  Company  A,  123rd  Ma- 
chine Gun  Battalion,  by  the  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun 
Company  of  the  130th  Infantry  was  effected  without  unusual 
Incident  and  at  Its  conclusion  the  3rd  Battalion  withdrew  to 
the  support  positions,  occupying  the  Tranchee  du  Cable  and 
the  Tranchee  du  Cabestan  by  two  companies  and  the  Ouvrage 
du  Chanols  north  of  Consenvoye  by  the  two  remalnlng.^^ 
Company  A,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  proceeded 
directly  to  the  trenches  south  of  Consenvoye, ^^  where  the 
entire  129th  Infantry  was  located;  the  latter  organization  was 
suffering  somewhat  heavily  from  the  enemy  shell  fire,  which 
wounded  eighty-six  men  that  day.^''^  In  consequence  of  the 
reliefs  effected  on  the  nights  of  October  17-18  and  18-19,  the 
entire  forward  positions  were  held  by  the  130th  Infantry,  its 
outpost  line  extending  in  a  waving  line  from  a  point  on  the 
right  bank  of  the  Meuse  a  kilometer  southwest  of  Sivry-sur- 
Meuse  across  the  northern  point  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and 
along  the  edge  of  the  Bois  Plat-Chene  to  Meridian  24, 
while  the  main  line  of  resistance  was  occupied  by  the  1st  Bat- 
tahon  on  the  east  and  the  2nd  Battalion  on  the  west.^^  This 
defense  system  was  also  held  by  the  Machine  Gun  Com- 
pany of  that  regiment  and  by  Companies  C  and  D,  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion. ^^  The  troops  spent  the  day 
strengthening  their  positions  and  that  night  patrols  were  sent 
to  reconnoitre  the  ridge  south  of  the  SIvry-sur-Meuse— Revllle 
road.*^*^  In  the  rear,  aside  from  the  movements  which  have 
been  mentioned,  there  were  no  changes  of  position  and  the  1st 
Battalion,  104th  Field  Artillery,  spent  a  comparatively  quiet 
day  in  the  trenches  southeast  of  Consenvoye,  as  did  Company 
B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  near  Brabant."^  To  the 
tired  troops  who  had  been  In  the  hne  nearly  six  weeks  came 
that  afternoon  the  welcome  news  that  they  would  shortly  be 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  159 

relieved  by  the  ISth  Colonial  Infantry  Division,  and  the 
requisite  orders  were  issued  accordingly.^- 

For  the  troops  of  the  66th  Brigade  in  the  left  sector  of 
the  33rd  Division  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse  the  day  was 
marked  by  the  preparations  for  the  approaching  relief,  which 
was,  in  the  case  of  the  majority  of  the  units,  to  occur  that  very 
night.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  5th  Colonial  Infantry 
(French)  the  3rd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  at  Hill  281 
formed  the  head  of  the  column  on  the  road  through  Bethin- 
court,  Chattancourt,  La  Claire,  and  Fromereville,  and 
marched  to  Camp  Moulin  Brule, *^^  followed  by  the  131st 
Infantry  and  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  to 
the  Bois  de  Nixeville*^^  and  the  Bois  Claude,  and  by  the  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  to  Camp  Moulin  Brule.*'^  The  head- 
quarters, one  battalion,  and  the  train  of  the  108th  Engineers 
proceeded  by  the  road  along  the  right  bank  from  Cumieres  to 
the  Citadel  of  Verdun. 

The  enemy  artillery,  quieter  than  usual  during  the  morn- 
ing, shelled  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  Consenvoye  and  its  neigh- 
borhood, Gercourt-et-Drillancourt,  the  Bois  Jure,  and  the 
Bois  Sachet  Intermittently  during  the  rest  of  the  day  with  high 
explosives,  shrapnel,  and  gas.'^^  The  52nd  Field  Artillery  Bri- 
gade, restored  to  Its  normal  organization  by  the  dissolution 
of  the  supporting  group  which  had  operated  more  or  less 
independently  since  the  initial  attack  east  of  the  Meuse  on 
October  8,  was  more  active  than  it  had  been  during  the  days 
immediately  preceding  and  devoted  considerable  attention  to 
the  vicinity  of  Vilosnes,  as  well  as  concentrating  on  Slvry-sur- 
Meuse  about  9  p.m.^'^ 

The  division  P.  C.  was  more  animated  that  Saturday 
than  it  had  been  for  some  time  and  additional  warning  orders 
were  dispatched  to  the  66th  Brigade,  the  108th  Engineers, 
and  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion.     The  arrangements 


160  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

for  the  withdrawal  of  the  troops  were  embodied  in  Field 
Order  No.  30,  issued  that  afternoon  at  6:15;*^*^  the  opening 
paragraph  announced  that  "Under  orders  of  the  XVII 
French  Corps  this  Division  will  be  relieved  by  the  15th 
Colonial  Infantry  Division  (French)  :  the  relief  to  be  com- 
pleted the  morning  of  21st  October  1918." 

During  the  evening  an  operation  order  was  received 
from  the  1 7th  Army  Corps,^^  which  announced  that  there  was 
no  change  in  the  line  of  the  front  and  that  on  the  following 
day  the  33rd  Division  would  make  "movements  preparatory 
to  the  relief."  The  mission  of  the  26th  French  Division  v/as 
to  remain  as  heretofore,  while  the  26th  and  29th  American 
Divisions  were  directed  to  continue  their  reconnaissances  and 
preparations  for  a  subsequent  attack,  as  well  as  to  effect  the 
necessary  work  to  strengthen  the  sector. 

Sunday,  October  20,  1918,  was  another  chilly  autumnal 
day,  accompanied  by  a  downpour  of  rain.  About  dawn  the 
troops  which  had  been  relieved  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse 
during  the  preceding  night  reached  the  various  destinations 
enumerated  in  the  narrative  for  October  19.'^°  Apart  from 
the  usual  routine  of  trench  life  and  preparations  for  further 
relief,  the  activities  of  the  infantry  and  artillery  of  the  33rd 
Division  that  day  were  very  light;  even  the  guns  were  almost 
entirely  silent. '^^  Similarly  In  the  division  P.  C.  at  La  Hutte 
there  were  only  three  incidents  of  importance.  The  first  was 
the  issuance  at  3  :45  p.m.  of  Addendum  No.  1  to  the  field 
order  of  the  previous  day,'^-  which  opened  with  the  announce- 
ment that  "Upon  completion  of  the  relief  and  moves  directed 
in  Field  Order  No.  30,  this  Division  will  be  assembled  in  the 
rear  zone  of  the  XXXIII  French  Army  Corps  where  it  will 
remain  under  command  of  the  XVII  French  Army  Corps." 
This  order  was  accompanied  by  a  march  table  setting  forth  in 
detail  the  movements  of  the  night  of  October  20-21,  the  fol- 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  161 

lowing  day  and  night,  and  the  day  of  October  22,  and  it  was 
specifically  directed  that  "Movements  will  be  carried  out  as  a 
rule  during  the  night.  If  the  weather  remains  misty  and  dark, 
movements  may  begin  after  3  :30  P.M.  and  must  be  completed 
by  9  A.M."" 

The  dispositions  therein  contained  were  based  upon  an 
order  from  the  17th  Army  Corps, "^  which  stated  that  "In 
execution  of  the  instructions  of  the  General  Commanding  the 
1st  U.  S.  A.,  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.  after  its  relief  which  is  to  be 
terminated  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  will  be  re-grouped  in 
the  rear  zone  of  the  33rd  A.  C.  [in  the]  region  Faubourg 
Pave-Dieue-Genicourt,  where  it  will  continue  to  be  under  the 
17th  A.  C." 

That  evening  an  additional  order  was  received  from  the 
corps"^^  announcing  that  in  its  sector  the  situation  that  day  was 
unchanged  and  that  on  October  21  there  would  be  a  "continua- 
tion of  the  operations  of  relief"  between  the  33rd  and  the 
15th  Colonial  Infantry  Division;  that  the  mission  of  the  26th 
French  Division  remained  as  before;  that  the  26th  and  29th 
American  Divisions  were  to  continue  their  "preparations  for 
the  operation  for  which  the  plans  have  today  been  co-ordi- 
nated at  the  Staff  of  the  Army  Corps. "'^ 

With  the  exception  of  a  few  isolated  units,  all  the  remain- 
ing troops  of  the  33rd  Division  on  both  banks  of  the  Meuse 
were  relieved  that  night  by  the  15th  Colonial  Infantry  Divi- 
sion. On  the  west  bank  the  1st  and  2nd  Battalions  and 
Machine  Gun  Company  of  the  132nd  Infantry,  upon  the 
arrival  of  the  French  relieving  force,  withdrew  from  the 
trenches  in  the  Dannevoux  and  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  sec- 
tors and  marched  to  the  Bois  de  Forges,  which  was  likewise 
occupied  that  night  by  Companies  A,  C,  and  D,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion. '^^    The  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade, 

with  the  exception  of  the    105th   Regiment  which   remained 

(11) 


162  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

near  Gercourt  until  the  following  night,  started  about  mid- 
night for  the  Bois  la  Ville,  the  Bois  de  Nixeville,  and  Bois 
Claude. "^^  Farther  south  the  108th  Engineers  were  replaced 
in  the  Citadel  of  Verdun  by  Company  D  of  that  regiment 
from  the  neighborhood  of  La  Claire  and  by  Company  E  from 
Cumieres,  while  the  supply,  ammunition  and  sanitary  trains 
and  the  trench  mortar  battery  were  concentrated  that  night  at 
the  Casernes  Bevaux  and  in  the  Faubourg  Pave  in  the  en- 
virons of  Verdun. "^^ 

With  the  solitary  exception  of  Company  D,  123rd  Ma- 
chine Gun  Battalion — which  remained  in  the  trenches  in  the 
Bois  Plat-Chene  until  twenty-four  hours  later — the  relief  of 
the  entire  65thlnfantry  Brigade  was  accomplished  in  the  single 
night  of  October  20—21.^°  The  first  body  of  troops  to  move 
was  a  column  of  the  brigade  reserve  comprising  the  129th 
Infantry  and  Companies  B  and  C,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, which  proceeded  about  dark  from  the  vicinity  of  Con- 
senvoye  across  the  river  at  Brabant  to  the  Bois  Delolime  and 
the  Bois  du  Chana,  where  it  arrived  about  1 1  P.M.^^  The 
130th  Infantry  and  Company  A,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, composed  the  second  column  which,  upon  being  re- 
lieved in  the  outpost  and  defense  systems,  moved  to  the  Bois 
Bourrus,^^  arriving  about  dawn  on  November  21.^^  The  1st 
Battalion  of  the  104th  Field  Artillery  at  the  Tranchee  de 
Heraclee  formed  an  independent  column  and  that  night 
rejoined  the  rest  of  that  regiment  en  route  from  the  Bois  Jure 
to  its  first  staging  area  south  of  the  Verdun-Dombasle  road. 

Of  the  troops  which  had  been  relieved  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Meuse  during  the  night  of  October  19-20  and  which 
had  withdrawn  to  staging  areas  south  of  this  same  road.  Com- 
pany B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  marched  from  the 
Bois  de  Nixeville  to  Camp  les  Tamaris,  which  is  situated 
north  of  the  road  from  Recourt  to  Villers-sur-Meuse,-^^  the 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  163 

3rd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  from  Moulin  Brule  to  Geni- 
court;  and  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  made  a  long 
movement  which  brought  it  to  the  village  of  Rattentout, 
directly  east  of  Dieue-sur-Meuse,^°  while  the  road  along  the 
left  bank  of  the  river  was  followed  by  the  headquarters.  Com- 
panies A,  B,  C,  and  D,  and  the  train  of  the  108th  Engineers, 
which  proceeded  from  the  Citadel  of  Verdun  to  Dugny,  La 
Falouse  and  Belleray  that  night.  The  131st  Infantry  made  no 
movement  but  remained  in  the  Bois  de  Nixeville  and  the  Bois 
Claude  until  the  morning  of  November  22.^® 

On  Monday,  October  21,  1918,  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd 
Division  was  closed  in  the  damp  dugout  at  La  Hutte  in  the 
Bois  Bourrus  at  8  a.m.  and  opened  at  the  same  hour  in  the 
comfortable  Chateau  Thomasseau  de  Cursey^^  at  Dieue-sur- 
Meuse,  ten  kilometers  south  of  Verdun,  where  it  was  joined 
by  the  headquarters  troop  and  the  various  offices  of  the  staff 
comprising  the  second  echelon  from  Lempire.  Apart  from 
the  usual  work  connected  with  such  a  movement  as  was  then 
being  made  by  the  division,  its  activities  that  day  were  mainly 
confined  to  the  issuance  of  a  confidential  memorandum  on  the 
subject  of  straggling  and  absenteeism  and  of  a  training  circu- 
lar prescribing  a  period  of  rest  for  three  days  for  the  purpose 
of  putting  the  troops  into  proper  condition  after  their  long 
stay  in  the  trenches,  to  be  followed  by  a  resumption  of  train- 
ing.^® 

During  the  morning  Companies  D  and  E,  108th  Engi- 
neers, proceeded  from  the  Citadel  of  Verdun  to  Haudainville 
and,  far  in  their  rear,  the  108th  Field  Signal  Battalion  and  the 
108th  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police  began  their 
march  from  Longbut  to  Ancemont.  At  4  P.M.  the  129th 
Infantry  and  Companies  B  and  C,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, left  the  Bois  Delolime  and  the  Bois  du  Chana  for  rest 
billets  in  the  area  of  Sommedieue,  where  they  arrived  about 


164  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

midnight^^  and  were  joined  by  the  P.  C.  of  the  65th  Brigade 
which  was  estabhshed  in  that  town.^^  This  column  was  fol- 
lowed by  another  composed  of  the  130th  Infantry  and  Com- 
pany A,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  which  marched  from 
the  Bois  Bourrus  to  the  area  of  Rupt-en-Woevre,  arriving 
about  4  A.M.  on  November  22.^^ 

Of  the  66th  Brigade,  the  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry, 
and  Companies  A,  C,  and  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
started  after  dark  from  the  Bois  de  Forges  for  Haudainville,^^ 
followed  as  far  as  the  Citadel  of  Verdun  by  the  headquarters 
and  the  1st  Battalion  of  the  132nd.  The  night  of  October 
21-22  likewise  witnessed  the  relief  of  the  two  remaining  units 
of  the  33rd  Division,  105th  Field  Artillery,  near  the  Bois 
Jure,^^  in  the  sector  on  the  west  bank  where  the  command  had 
been  turned  over  that  morning  to  the  15th  Colonial  Infantry 
Division^^  and  Company  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
in  the  Bois  Plat-Chene,  the  former  proceeding  south  to  the 
Bois  la  Ville  and  the  latter  marching  to  the  Bois  Bourrus.^^ 

On  Tuesday,  October  22,  1918,  the  movement  of  the 
33rd  Division  continued  in  the  direction  of  the  Meuse  between 
Dieue  and  Tilly.  During  the  day  or  the  course  of  the  ensuing 
night  the  troops  were  grouped  as  follows:  the  65th  Brigade 
was  concentrated  on  the  line  Sommedieue-Rupt-en  Woevre;^® 
the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  at  Rattentout — where 
it  had  arrived  during  the  night  of  October  20-21;^'^  the 
52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  extended  from  Dieue-sur-Meuse 
to  the  Bois  la  Ville, ^^  its  ammunition  train  and  the  trench 
mortar  battery  remaining  in  the  Faubourg  Pave  at  Verdun; 
the  66th  Brigade  occupied  the  area  southwest  of  Souilly  within 
the  serrated  boundary  formed  by  the  roads  Les  Monthairons- 
Ferme-Ravigny— Recourt-Rambluzin,^'^  its  P.  C.  being  estab- 
lished at  Genicourt  and  Companies  A,  C,  and  D,  124th 
Machine  Gun  BattaHon,  at  le  Petit  Monthairon,^^^  while  Com- 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  165 

pany  B  remained  at  Camp  les  Tamaris.  The  108th  Field  Sig- 
nal Battalion  and  the  108th  Train  Headquarters  and  Military 
Police  occupied  Ancemont,  the  108th  Engineers  remained  at 
Dugny,  and  the  108th  Sanitary  Train  moved  from  Thierville 
to  the  Faubourg  Pave/^^  while  the  extreme  rear  was  brought 
up  by  Company  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  which  was 
given  a  day  of  rest  in  the  Bois  Bourrus  after  its  relief  on  the 
night  of  October  20-2 l.^o^ 

The  routine  work  in  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  at 
Dieue-sur-Meuse  was  enlivened  by  the  receipt  of  an  order 
from  General  Blondlat,  commanding  the  2nd  French  Colonial 
Army  Corps,^^^  received  at  8:50  P.M.,  which  announced  that: 

By  order  of  the  Ilnd  Army  U.  S.,  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 
now  assembled  in  the  zone  of  Dieue  (see  table  of  stations 
attached)  is  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Ilnd  C.  A.  C.  so  as 
to  relieve  the  79th  I.  D.  U.  S.  in  the  sector  of  Troyon. 

The  movement  of  relief  regulated  by  the  General  com- 
manding the  79th  I.  D.  U.  S.  will  commence  the  23rd 
October.  .  .  . 

In  consequence  of  this  information,  warning  orders 
were  forthwith  dispatched  to  the  commanders  of  the  65th 
and  66th  Brigades  and  the  130th  and  131st  Infantry  to 
apprise  them  of  the  fact  that  the  division  had  been  transferred 
to  the  Second  American  Army  and  assigned  to  the  2nd 
Colonial  Army  Corps,  as  well  as  of  the  dispositions  which  they 
were  to  take  in  respect  to  this  new  relief.^^* 

Inasmuch  as  October  22,  1918,  marked  the  termination 
of  the  stay  of  the  33rd  Division  in  the  sectors  north  of  Verdun 
adjacent  to  the  Meuse,  a  hasty  resume  of  its  operations  during 
that  period  may  not  be  amiss.  The  first  element  of  the  divi- 
sion had  entered  the  trenches  there  on  the  night  of  September 
7-8,  and  the  last  unit  was  withdrawn  on  the  night  of  October 


166  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

21-22,  a  period  of  forty-four  days.  In  the  first  instance  the 
command  passed  to  the  33rd  Division  on  September  10  at 
8  A.M.;  in  the  latter  it  passed  to  the  15th  Colonial  Infantry 
Division  on  October  21,  at  10  A.M.  During  the  first  few  days 
the  Verdun  sector  maintained  its  reputation  of  the  preceding 
months  as  a  "quiet  sector"  but,  after  the  demonstration  fire 
on  September  12  at  1  A.M.^  it  assumed  a  livelier  aspect  and  the 
tremendous  bombardment  on  the  night  of  September  25—26 
transformed  it  into  as  active  a  sector  as  existed  on  the  entire 
Allied  front.  The  attack  of  September  26,  1918,  inaugurated 
a  long  and  bitter  struggle  for  the  heights  of  the  Meuse.  Dur- 
ing that  six  weeks,  the  enemy,  heavily  reenforced  by  every 
available  reserve,  fought  with  utmost  desperation  under  orders 
to  hold  at  all  costs^^"  the  positions,  which  were  vital  to  his 
forces,  not  only  in  that  region  but  elsewhere  on  the  western 
front.  It  was  only  by  the  most  persistent  and  determined 
fighting  for  every  foot  of  ground  that  any  gain  whatsoever 
was  effected. ^^^  Of  extraordinary  natural  strength  and  an 
important  strategic  point  since  Roman  times,  Verdun  had  been 
the  scene  of  many  a  battle  in  bygone  centuries  and  in  1916,  of 
one  of  the  most  heroic  struggles  in  history.  For  four  years 
the  heights  north  of  the  town  and  on  both  banks  of  the  river 
had  been  occupied  by  the  enemy  who  had  fortified  them  with 
all  the  engineering  skill  that  he  possessed.  The  task  of  driv- 
ing him  from  these  powerful  positions  was  therefore  neces- 
sarily attended  with  heavy  losses  and,  during  the  period  that  it 
was  in  the  line  in  that  sector,  the  33rd  Division  alone  suffered 
to  the  extent  of  10  officers  and  358  men  killed;  94  officers  and 
4,569  men  wounded,  49  men  missing  and  6  men  captured,  a 
total  of  104  officers  and  4,982  men.  To  these  figures  the 
attached  units,  such  as  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade, 
added  their  quota  of  3  officers  and  106  men,  so  that  the  total 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  167 

losses    of    the    command    during    Its    operations    at    Verdun 
amounted  to  107  officers  and  5,088  men.**^" 

In  the  attack  of  September  26,  the  mission  of  the  33rd 
Division  was  to  cross  the  Ruisseau  de  Forges  and  to  capture 
the  Bois  de  Forges  as  well  as  the  sector  extending  along  the 
left  bank  of  the  Meuse  to  the  Laiterle  de  Belhame.  The 
Forges  Brook,  an  insignificant  stream  in  the  dry  season,  was 
at  that  time  much  swollen  by  the  constant  rains  of  the  preced- 
ing week  and  its  approaches,  always  marshy,  had  then  been 
transformed  into  a  species  of  morass.  The  Bois  de  Forges,  a 
veritable  fortress  of  machine-gun  nests,  was  one  of  the  most 
formidable  positions  in  the  entire  region  of  Verdun.  Yet  in 
spite  of  its  task  and  notwithstanding  the  heavy  enemy  fire  of 
artillery  and  machine  guns,  in  exactly  four  hours  and  thirty 
minutes  after  leaving  its  trenches  south  of  the  valley  of  the 
Forges  the  66th  Brigade  had  covered  five  kilometers  with  its 
right  and  seven  kilometers  with  its  left,  the  Bois  de  Forges 
had  been  taken,  and  the  entire  left  bank  of  the  river  as  far  as 
Dannevoux  was  in  its  possession.  A  frontal  attack,  combined 
with  a  turning  movement  which  took  the  position  in  the  rear, 
had  proved  irresistible  and  had  resulted  in  the  capture  in  a 
few  hours  of  this  stronghold,  which  the  enemy  believed  im- 
pregnable. So  rapid  was  the  advance  of  the  American  troops 
that  the  enemy  found  himself  surrounded  before  he  awoke  to 
the  situatlon^®^  and  even  the  enemy  commander  narrowly 
escaped  being  taken  prisoner. ^^^  It  is  questionable  if  any  plan 
other  than  that  actually  adopted  could  have  achieved  the  same 
result  in  so  short  a  time.^^*^  Various  factors  contributed  to  the 
success  for  which  the  plan  was  primarily  responsible.  In 
addition  to  its  speed,  the  attack  was  executed  with  a  precision 
well-nigh  incredible  considering  the  attending  circumstances 
and  it  was  greatly  assisted  by  the  artillery  support,  by  the 
relentless  offensive  shown  by  the  troops — which,  it  is  consid- 


168  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

ered,  was  materially  developed  by  their  thorough  training  in 
bayonet  work — by  the  judicious  employment  of  such  auxiliary 
weapons  as  the  trench  mortars  and  the  37-millimeter  guns,  and 
by  the  effectiveness  of  the  machine  guns.  The  commanders  of 
these  units  displayed  unusual  initiative  and  resourcefulness  in 
the  barrage  with  which  they  completely  smothered  the  enemy 
resistance. ^^^  Indeed,  in  this  respect  their  work  marked  an 
innovation  of  sufficient  merit  to  evoke  the  following  remarks, 
under  the  heading,  "Machine  Guns,"  in  the  Notes  on  Recent 
Operations  No.  3,  published  for  the  information  of  the  Ameri- 
can Expeditionary  Forces  :^^^ 

"One  division  made  excellent  use  of  its  guns  to  neutralize 
a  woods  which  it  passed  by  and  later  attacked  from  the  rear. 
A  great  number  of  prisoners  were  thus  captured  with  very 
small  losses." 

During  the  period  from  September  27  to  October  7, 
1918,  the  active  operations  of  the  33rd  Division  were  reduced 
to  the  minimum,  being  confined  to  trench  warfare  incident  to 
securing  the  right  flank  of  the  First  American  Army  in  its 
attacks  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Meuse  in  the  so-called  Meuse- 
Argonne  battle.  This  period  demanded  much  patience  and 
fortitude  on  the  part  of  the  officers  and  men,  who  were  limited 
to  a  passive  role  despite  the  incessant  fire  of  the  enemy's 
artillery  and  machine  guns  from  the  dominating  positions  on 
the  east  bank,  as  well  as  gas  and  areoplane  attacks;  and  who 
were  without  the  satisfaction  of  any  activity  other  -than  that 
of  trench  routine,  rendered  doubly  uncomfortable  by  the 
almost  constant  rain. 

On  October  6,  the  33rd  Division  was  transferred  from 
the  Ilird  American  Corps  to  the  17th  French  Army  Corps 
and  two  days  later  part  of  the  66th  Brigade  participated  in 
the  initial  attack  of  that  corps  east  of  the  Meuse,  in  the  region 
which  had  witnessed  the  most  desperate  fighting  during  the 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  169 

great  battle  of  Verdun  in  1916.  This  delicate  operation — 
which  has  already  been  described  in  detail — ^^^was  fruitful  in 
its  results  and  on  the  following  day  the  front  of  the  17th 
Army  Corps  had  been  advanced  almost  as  far  as  the  front  of 
the  Ilird  Corps  had  been  at  the  conclusion  of  the  second  day 
of  its  attack  nearly  a  fortnight  earlier. ^^"^  As  was  customary 
with  the  troops  of  the  33rd  Division,  the  forces  under  Colonel 
Davis  attained  the  objective  assigned  them — the  second  ex- 
ploitation objective — but  their  exposed  right  flank,  unprotected 
owing  to  the  inability  of  the  58th  Infantry  Brigade  (29th 
American  Division)  to  keep  pace  with  them,  invited  attack  and 
the  enemy  was  quick  to  seize  the  opportunity  thus  presented.  A 
vigorous  counterattack  delivered  at  the  close  of  October  8  by 
picked  German  storm  troops  compelled  the  132nd  Infantry  to 
fall  back  to  the  southern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume, 
although  its  extreme  left  was  not  relieved  until  later.  The 
remainder  of  the  66th  Brigade,  reenforced  by  some  units  of 
the  65th  Brigade,  was  at  once  thrown  across  the  river, 
and  at  10  A.M.  next  day  the  ground  relinquished  had  been 
completely  retaken.  From  that  moment  the  enemy  was  pow- 
erless to  dislodge  General  Wolf's  command.  Three  times  the 
second  exploitation  objective  was  reached  and  a  farther 
advance  could  doubtless  have  been  made  had  not  the  right 
flank  remained  exposed  and  unsupported. ^^^  The  dominating 
positions  of  the  enemy  enabled  his  artillery  and  machine  guns 
to  render  this  line  untenable,  but  a  sheltered  position  was  con- 
solidated a  short  distance  in  the  rear,  sufficiently  near  this 
objective  to  render  abortive  any  attempt  by  the  enemy  to 
retake  it.  Under  the  most  intense  fire  of  artillery  and  machine 
guns,  coupled  with  occasional  counterattacks  and  constant  gas 
and  aeroplane  attacks,  the  troops  of  the  66th  Brigade  held 
their  ground  with  unflinching  determination,  and  by  so  doing 
they  rendered  secure  the  possession  of  the  sector  immediately 


170  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

adjacent  to  the  right  bank  of  the  Meuse  and  served  as  a  pivot 
upon  which  the  Commander  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  swung 
his  centre  and  right  northward  and  northeastward  over  a  ter- 
rain which  the  enemy  contested  with  a  resistance  frenzied  in 
its  desperation. 

At  the  end  of  seven  days  the  defense  of  this  sector 
devolved  upon  the  65th  Brigade  in  consequence  of  the  mutual 
relief  between  it  and  the  66th  Brigade.  For  six  days^^*^  its  task 
was  performed  with  similar  vigor  and  determination,  and  the 
line  in  the  Bois  Plat-Chene  advanced  by  virtue  of  an  opera- 
tion on  October  16  undertaken  in  conjunction  with  the  29th 
Division  on  the  right. ^^'^  Although  the  lion's  share  of  the 
fighting  in  the  Verdun  sector  fell — largely  through  the  chance 
of  location — to  the  lot  of  the  66th  Brigade,  the  65th  Brigade 
had  executed  its  equally  important,  if  less  conspicuous,  task 
with  an  efficiency  in  nowise  inferior  and  under  circumstances 
exacting  great  resoluteness  on  the  part  of  the  troops. ^^^  Al- 
though restricted  to  a  defensive  role,  patrols  and  raids  were 
made  constantly  and,  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse,  in  spite 
of  a  decidedly  exposed  location,  the  outposts  were  pushed  for- 
ward to  the  river's  very  edge.^^^  To  the  successes  achieved 
the  65th  Brigade  contributed  its  full  share,  notwithstanding 
the  difficult  position  in  which  it  served.  An  excellent  de- 
scription of  its  situation  is  given  by  one  of  its  regimental  com- 
manders:^-" 

The  terrain  in  and  around  the  Outpost  Lines  on  the  west 
bank  of  the  Meuse  in  the  Bois-de-la-C6te-Lemont  and  Bois- 
de-Dannevoux  was  a  most  difficult  one  to  operate  from, 
although  it  constituted  an  exceedingly  strong  defensive  posi- 
tion. To  the  front  and  right  flank  was  the  low  flatland  along 
the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse.  The  enemy  occupied  the  woods 
and  high  hills  to  the  north  and  northeast  which  afforded  them 
superior  observation.  This  coupled  with  their  personal 
knowledge  of  the  ground  gave  them  a  tremendous  advantage 


Kh\l.  IMEXT,    F0RGES-C0NSh.\\O\  1-    ROAD 


ERECTION  OF  REVETMEXT  WALL  OVER  SHELL  HOLE,   FORGES   ROAD 


ASTRIDE  THE  MEUSE  171 

over  our  forces  and  proved  costly  to  us  because  of  the  extreme 
accuracy  of  their  artillery  fire.  Our  aerial  service  was 
hampered  because  of  lack  of  visibility  and  in  many  cases  were 
not  as  aggressive  as  would  be  desired. 

The  terrain  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  occupied  by 
our  troops  was  similar  to  that  on  the  west  bank,  our  outpost 
lines  being  dug  in,  in  the  woods  on  the  forward  slope  of  a 
series  of  hills  with  the  enemy  in  a  commanding  position  in  the 
Haraumont  Heights  where  he  had  the  advantage  in  observa- 
tion and  knowledge  as  to  the  exact  nature  of  the  ground 
occupied  by  our  troops,  again  giving  him  superior  advantage 
in  artillery  fire  which  cost  us  considerable  losses  by  way  of 
casualties. 

In  the  face  of  an  enemy  on  commanding  heights  which 
afford  perfect  observation  and  field  of  fire,  to  construct  bridges 
and  to  force  the  passage  of  a  river  and  a  canal  flanked  by 
extensive  marshes  is  a  difficult  operation.  Yet  such  a  feat  was 
successfully  accomplished  at  Brabant  and  Consenvoye  on 
October  8  by  the  forces  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Davis, 
notwithstanding  the  presence  of  the  enemy  in  great  strength 
in  the  Bols  de  Consenvoye,  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  and  the 
dominating  positions  on  the  heights  of  Haraumont.  Indeed, 
one  of  the  most  distinguished  military  writers  of  the  present 
time  has  described  this  achievement  as  "one  of  the  brilliant 
feats  of  the  war."^^^ 

That  all  operations  astride  a  river  are  of  necessity 
fraught  with  risk  is  generally  conceded.  The  difficulty  of 
keeping  liaison  between  the  elements  of  a  command  separated 
by  such  an  obstacle  is  recognized.  That  any  mistake  commit- 
ted in  such  an  operation  is  likely  to  prove  disastrous  if  the 
enemy  be  powerful  and  alert  has  been  demonstrated  in  many 
a  defeat  in  the  past.  Nevertheless,  from  October  8  to  20  the 
33rd  Division  maintained  its  positions  astride  the  Meuse 
without  the  slightest  interruption  in  its  means  of  communica- 
tion and  without  the  loss  of  a  foot  of  ground  except  during  the 


172  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

brief  period  between  the  enemy  counterattack  at  the  close  of 
day  on  October  9  and  ten  o'clock  the  following  morning. 
Against  the  vigor  of  the  attack  made  on  October  10  even 
picked  German  storm  troops  were  powerless  to  stand,  and 
their  subsequent  attem.pts  proved  equally  unavailing.  Through- 
out the  entire  time  from  that  morning  until  its  relief,  the  33rd 
Division — in  spite  of  the  fact  that  its  troops  on  the  right  bank 
were  peculiarly  exposed  to  attack — protected  and  firmly 
secured  the  right  flank  of  the  American  Corps  on  the  west 
bank  and  the  left  of  the  17th  French  Army  Corps  on  the  east 
bank,  thereby  contributing  materially  to  the  successful  issue 
of  the  battle  that  wrested  from  the  enemy  positions  of  excep- 
tional strength  of  which  he  had  held  undisputed  possession  for 
more  than  four  years. 


VII.    IN  THE  TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  SECTOR  WITH 

THE  SECOND  AMERICAN  ARMY  AND  THE 

2ND  FRENCH  COLONIAL  ARMY  CORPS 

Wednesday,  October  23,  1918,  was  a  day  of  rest  for  the 
33rd  Division  within  the  area  Sommedieue— Genicourt-sur- 
Meuse— Rambluzin— Bois  la  Ville— Faubourg  Pave,^  where 
it  was  rejoined  late  that  afternoon  by  Company  D,  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  from  the  Bois  Bourrus  where  it 
had  staged  during  the  day  succeeding  its  relief  in  the  Bois 
Plat-Chene  on  the  night  of  October  2 1-22. ^  The  tired  troops 
were  given  such  opportunity  as  the  local  facilities  permitted  to 
bathe  and  change  the  clothing  which  many  of  them  had  worn 
almost  continuously  for  more  than  six  weeks,  and  the  day  was 
spent  in  cleaning  personal  effects,  equipment,  harness,  etc.,^  as 
well  as  in  such  reorganization  as  had  become  urgent  after  the 
long  stay  in  the  trenches.^  So  far  as  the  units  were  concerned 
the  day  was  otherwise  devoid  of  incidents  worthy  of  mention, 
whereas  the  division  P.  C.  at  Dieue-sur-Meuse  was  the  scene 
of  decided  activity. 

In  conformity  with  the  order  received  on  October  22 
from  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps, ^  warning  orders  regard- 
ing the  rehef  of  the  79th  Division  were  sent  to  the  65th  and 
66th  Brigades,  the  108th  Engineers,  and  122nd  Machine  Gun 
Battahon,  followed  at  6  p.m.  by  the  issuance  of  Field  Order 
No.  31,^  which  directed  that  the  65th  Brigade  should  relieve 
the  157th  Brigade  of  the  79th  Division  in  the  subsector  known 
as  Connecticut,  the  130th  Infantry  taking  over  the  positions 

173 


174  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

of  the  313th  Infantry  in  the  front  lines  and  the  129th  taking 
over  those  of  the  3I4th  Infantry  in  the  rest  area.  Similarly 
the  66th  Brigade  was  to  relieve  the  158th  Brigade  of  the  79th 
Division  in  the  subsector  Massachusetts,  the  132nd  Infantry 
superseding  the  316th  Infantry  in  the  advanced  lines  and  the 
131st  Infantry  relieving  the  315th  in  the  rest  area.  The 
122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  the  108th  Engineers,  and  the 
108th  Field  Signal  Battalion  were  likewise  to  relieve  cor- 
responding units  of  the  79th  Division.  The  65th  Brigade 
was  to  furnish  two  platoons  of  infantry  and  a  section 
of  machine  guns  as  a  reenforcement  garrison  at  the  Fort  de 
Troyon,  and  the  company  of  the  79th  Division  at  Lavigneville 
was  to  be  replaced  by  a  similar  unit  from  the  66th  Brigade. 
Announcement  was  made  that  special  orders  concerning  the 
artillery  would  be  issued  later'^  and  that  the  command  in  the 
three  sectors  would  pass  at  8  a.m.  on  October  26.^  In  pursu- 
ance of  these  instructions  the  necessary  orders  were  issued  by 
the  two  brigades  concerned'-^  and  in  consequence  the  2nd  Bat- 
talion, 130th  Infantry,  relieved  the  1st  Battalion,  313th  In- 
fantry, in  reserve,  including  two  companies  in  the  Bois  de 
Combres  and  two  in  the  Bois  des  Eparges,^"  while  the  108th 
Engineers  proceeded  from  the  Dugny  area  to  Rupt-en- 
Woevre,  Ranzieres,  and  Mouilly  where  they  staged  until  the 
following  night,  these  movements  taking  place  during  day- 
light. During  the  night  of  October  23-24  the  131st  Infantry 
marched  from  the  area  of  Camp  Monthairons  southeast  to  the 
village  and  chateau  of  Thillombois,  Woimbey,  and  Camp  Gib- 
raltar, where  it  relieved  the  315th  Infantry  of  the  79th  Divi- 
sion in  the  rest  area  at  those  places, ^^  and  that  same  night  two 
battalions  of  the  132nd  Infantry  advanced  from  the  region  of 
Les  Monthairons  and  Genicourt-sur-Meuse  east  to  Dom- 
martin-sur-Montagne  where  they  staged  preparatory  to  the 
relief  which  they  were  to  make  next  day.^^ 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  175 

At  9  :20  P.M.  the  following  order  reached  the  division 
P.  C.  at  Dieue-sur-Meuse : 

2nd  C.  a.  C.  At  the  H.  Q.  the  23  October,  1918. 

Staff  Secret 

3rd  Bureau     Modification  of  Special  Order  No.  816.^^ 
No.  3/396-T/3 

By  order  of  the  1st  Army  U.  S.,  the  52nd  Brigade  of 
Field  Artillery  ceases  to  be  attached  to  the  33rd 
I.  D.  U.  S.  and  passes  to  the  79th  I.  D.  U.  S.  The  55th 
Artillery  Brigade  ceases  to  be  attached  to  the  79th 
I.  D.  U.  S.  and  passes  to  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 

In  consequence : 
1st.     The  52nd  Artillery  Brigade  will  retain  its  present 
positions  in  the  zone  of  Dieue. 

2nd.     The  55th  Artillery  Brigade  is  not  relieved  in  the 
sector  of  Troyon. 

By  Order.     The   Chief  of  Staff, 

Alambey. 

It  was  not  until  Thursday,  October  24,  1918,  at  10:55 
A.M.  that  the  order  directing  the  relief  of  the  79th  Division 
by  the  33rd,  which  had  been  issued  by  the  Headquarters  of 
the  Second  American  Army  at  Toul  on  the  twentieth, ^^ 
reached  the  division  P.  C.  at  Dieue-sur-Meuse.  It  was  fol- 
lowed at  4:10  P.M.  by  a  corrected  copy  of  the  same  order^^ 
bearing  a  like  date  and  identical  with  the  original  order  except 
that  the  first  paragraph  was  modified  by  an  insertion  in  two 
places  so  that  it  read: 

"1.  The  33rd  Division  (less  Artillery)  will  relieve  the 
79th  Division  (less  Artillery)  in  the  Troyon  Sector. "^*^  Both 
the  original  and  the  corrected  copy  fixed  this  relief  for  the 
nights  of  October  24-25  and  25-26,  but,  as  has  already  been 
seen,  this  operation  had  been  begun  on  the  twenty-third  pur- 
suant to  the  orders  from  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps. ^'^ 
However,  orders  were  promptly  issued  relieving  the  52nd 
Field  Artillery  Brigade  from  the  33rd  Division  and  attaching 


176  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

it  to  the  79th  Division, ^^  with  which  it  marched  back  to 
Verdun  and  went  back  into  the  line  on  the  nights  of  October 
28  and  29,  its  positions  on  the  morning  of  October  30  being 
all  within  a  radius  of  less  than  two  miles  from  the  spot  where 
the  1st  Battalion  of  the  104th  Field  Artillery  was  relieved  on 
the  night  of  October  20-2 1.^^ 

On  October  24  all  the  necessary  reconnaissances  were 
made  for  the  reliefs  to  be  effected  that  night,  and  the  314th 
Infantry  (157th  Brigade,  79th  Division)  in  the  rest  area  of 
the  Troyon  sector  was  relieved  before  darkness  by  the  129th 
Infantry  which  occupied  Ranzieres,  Ambly,  Tilly-sur-Meuse 
and  Recourt.-^  The  night  of  October  24—25  witnessed  several 
such  operations  whereby  units  of  the  79th  Division  were  re- 
placed by  similar  organizations  of  the  33rd.  On  the  north, 
the  2nd  Battalion,  313th  Infantry,  which  was  holding  the  Bois 
des  Eparges  and  the  right  section  of  the  subsector  Connecti- 
cut, known  as  the  "Centre  of  Resistance  Augusta,"  was  re- 
lieved by  the  3rd  Battalion  of  the  130th  Infantry^^  and  Com- 
pany B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  took  over  a  portion  of 
the  gun  positions  of  the  311th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  (157th 
Brigade)  in  the  same  subsector. ^^  In  the  subsector  Massa- 
chusetts on  the  south,  the  2nd  Battalion,  316th  Infantry 
(158th  Brigade,  79th  Division),  in  the  Centre  of  Resistance 
Concord  and  the  3rd  Battalion  of  that  regiment  in  Le  Chanot 
Bois  were  reheved  by  two  battalions  of  the  132nd  Infantry,^^ 
while  the  remaining  battalion  of  the  132nd  moved  forward  to 
Dommartin-la-Montagne  preparatory  to  relieving  the  1st 
Battalion,  316th  Infantry,  on  the  following  night. ^"^  In  this 
same  subsector,  part  of  the  positions  of  the  312th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  (158th  Brigade)  near  the  Longeau  Ferme  were 
taken  over  by  the  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  but,  as  this 
latter  command  had  a  long  distance  to  march,  it  was  long  after 
daylight  before  it  occupied  the  support  and  reserve  positions 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  177 

and,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  the  entire  relief  was  not  finished  until 
next  evening.-^  The  engineer  regiment  and  train  of  the  79th 
Division  was  relieved  in  the  Grande  Tranchee  de  Calonne — 
which  runs  in  the  rear  of,  and  more  or  less  parallel  to,  the 
advanced  positions  described  above — by  the  108th  Engineers 
and  108th  Engineer  Train. ^*^  Still  farther  in  the  rear  the 
108th  Field  Signal  Battalion  replaced  the  corresponding  unit 
of  the  outgoing  division  at  Troyon-sur-Meuse,-'^  and  on  the 
west  bank  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  relieved  the 
310th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  of  the  79th  Division.-^ 

On  Friday,  October  25,  1918,  there  were  no  movements 
of  importance  by  the  33rd  Division  except  for  the  first  stage 
of  the  relief  effected  by  the  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  that 
morning,  the  reenforcing  of  the  French  garrison  at  the  Fort 
de  Troyon  by  a  detachment  from  the  129th  Infantry,^^  and 
the  arrival  at  Troyon-sur-Meuse  of  the  108th  Field  Signal 
Battalion  from  Ancemont  and  the  108th  Sanitary  Train  from 
Faubourg  Pave.^^  Incident  to  taking  over  a  new  sector, 
numerous  arrangements  were  obviously  necessary^^  and  during 
the  course  of  the  day  Instructions  were  received  from  General 
Blondlat,  commanding  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  an- 
nouncing that : 

By  order  of  the  Ilnd  Army  U.  S.,  the  39th  French  I.  D. 
will  be  relieved  In  Its  sector  by  the  extension  of  the  front  of 
the  28th  I.  D.  U.  S.  to  the  west  and  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.  to  the 
east  as  far  as  the  line : 

Western  edge  of  the  Bols  des  Haravillers  and  du  Rebois 
— Hattonchatel  (IVth  A.  C.  U.  S.)— AIUy-sur-Meuse  (2nd 
C.  A.  C.)— Brasselte  (IVth  A.  C.  U.  S.)— Mecrin  (IVth  A. 
C.  U.  S.)  which  after  the  completion  of  the  relief  will  become 
the  new  limit  between  the  2nd  C.  A.  C.  and  IVth  A.  C.  U.  S.^^ 

This  relief,  which  was  to  be  regulated  by  the  general 
commanding  the  39th  French  Infantry  Division,  to  commence 
on  October  27,  and  to  terminate  at  8  a.m.  on  October  29, 

(12) 


178  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

entailed  the  occupation  of  the  outposts  and  positions  of  resist- 
ance west  of  this  new  boundary  by  one  battalion  of  the  131st 
Infantry  and  by  the  two  companies  of  the  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  on  the  night  of  October  27-28,  while  one  bat- 
talion of  the  131st  was  to  be  posted  in  reserve,  its  staff  and 
three  companies  at  ChalUon  and  one  company  and  the  regi- 
mental band  at  St.  Mlhlel.  The  62nd  American  Field 
Artillery  Brigade  (Brigadier  General  George  W.  Burr)  at 
MesnIl-la-Tour  was  to  be  utilized,  less  Its  howitzer  regiment, 
for  the  dual  purpose  of  relieving  the  artlUery  of  the  39th 
French  Infantry  Division  and  of  furnishing  one  group  to  the 
33rd  American  Division. 

The  night  of  October  25-26  saw  the  relief  of  the  last 
units  of  the  79th  Division  on  the  Troyon-sur-Meuse  sector. 
At  9  P.M.  the  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  finished  taking 
over  the  remaining  positions  of  the  312th  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion near  the  Longeau  Ferme^^  and  the  1st  Battalion  of  the 
316th  Infantry  was  relieved  In  the  Centre  of  Resistance  Mont- 
peller  In  the  Massachusetts  subsector  by  the  battalion  of  the 
132nd  Infantry  which  had  spent  the  day  at  Dommartin-sur- 
Montagne.  In  the  Connecticut  subsector  on  the  north,  the  3rd 
Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  313th  Infantry,  in  the 
Centre  of  Resistance  Providence  was  replaced  by  the  1st  Bat- 
talion and  Machine  Gun  Company  of  the  130th  Infantry,^* 
while  Companies  A,  C,  and  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
completed  the  relief  of  the  machine-gun  units  of  the  79th  Divi- 
sion in  that  sector. ^^ 

On  Saturday,  October  26,  1918,  at  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  closed  at  Dieue-sur- 
Meuse  and  opened  at  the  same  hour  at  Troyon-sur-Meuse,  at 
which  time  the  entire  command  In  the  Troyon,  Connecticut, 
and  Massachusetts  subsectors  passed  from  the  79th  Division 
to  the  Commanding  General,  33rd  Division,  and  to  the  com- 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  179 

manders  of  the  65th  and  66th  Infantry  Brigades  respectively.^^ 
During  the  course  of  the  morning  the  Division  Commander, 
accompanied  by  his  two  Aides-de-Camp  and  his  Adjutant, 
proceeded  to  St.  Mihiel  to  report  his  arrival  and  to  pay  his 
respects  to  General  Blondlat,  commanding  the  2nd  Colonial 
Army  Corps. ^^ 

The  interest  that  day  in  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division 
was  confined  to  the  instructions  given  to  the  commanders  of 
the  66th  Brigade,  the  131st  Infantry,  and  the  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  in  respect  to  the  extension  of  the  front,  the 
relief  of  the  39th  French  Division  and  the  movements  to  be 
effected  in  consequence,^^  and  to  the  receipt  of  an  announce- 
ment from  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps  that  "The  Staff  of 
the  62nd  F.  A.  Brigade,  U.  S.,  is  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the 
General  comdg.  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.  to  whom  it  will  present 
itself  during  the  course  of  the  27th  October. "^^ 

As  has  been  seen,  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade, 
which  formed  part  of  the  33rd  Division  and  was  trained  with 
it  at  Camp  Logan,  Houston,  Texas,  separated  from  the  divi- 
sion at  that  camp  and,  upon  completion  of  its  training  at 
Ornans,  France,  was  attached  to  various  other  divisions  dur- 
ing the  continuance  of  hostilities.^^  On  the  British  front  the 
33rd  Division  was  supported  by  British  artillery;  in  the  opera- 
tions near  Verdun  the  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  belong- 
ing to  the  27th  Division,  was  attached  to  it  for  a  period  of 
seven  weeks  ;'^^  upon  reaching  the  Troyon  sector  the  33rd 
Division  was  given  the  55  th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  belonging 
to  the  30th  Division^^  and  previously  attached  to  the  79th 
Division,  which  was  unable  to  move  owing  to  scarcity  of 
horses.  By  virtue  of  its  location  in  the  sector,  the  mission  of 
supporting  the  65th  Brigade  fell  to  the  114th  Field  Artillery 
(Colonel  Luke  Lea)  on  the  north  and  a  like  task  in  respect  to 
the    66th   Brigade    to   the    113th    Field   Artillery    (Colonel 


180  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Albert  L.  Cox)  on  the  south,  while  the  115th  Field  Artillery, 
155-millimeter  howitzers  (Colonel  Harry  S.  Berry),  devoted 
its  activities  to  any  point  in  the  entire  sector  where  they  were 
required.  The  modus  operandi  of  the  55th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade  is  thus  described  by  its  operations  officer  :^^ 

The  Divisional  front  extended  almost  12  kilometers. 
The  line  of  outposts  were  from  two  to  four  kilometers  in 
front  of  the  main  line  of  resistance  which  extended  along  the 
military  crest  of  the  Cotes  de  Meuse.  On  conference  with  the 
infantry  a  plan  of  Artillery  Defense  was  developed  whereby 
each  infantry  outpost  support  was  protected  by  a  barrage  with 
density  of  fire  1  round  per  minute  per  12  meters.  The  battery 
positions  all  being  on  the  heights  another  barrage  could  be  put 
down  in  front  of  the  Line  of  Resistance  in  case  the  infantry 
had  to  fall  back. 

The  plan  of  C.  P.  O.  fire  covered  all  points  of  assembly, 
communication  trenches,  etc.  These  were  called  for  by  name 
— also  the  Heavy  C.  P.  O.  was  fired  on  barrage  signal  as  part 
of  the  barrage.  Both  barrages  and  C.  P.  O.s  were  arranged 
as  normal  and  eventuals  so  as  to  get  concentration  in  case  of 
local  attacks. 

A  Plan  of  Reprisal  fire  was  employed.  Harassing  fire 
was  done  mostly  at  night  and  according  to  schedule. 

A  plan  of  defense  against  tanks  was  developed  so  that  all 
routes  by  which  tanks  could  approach  would  be  covered  by 
enfilade  fire.  .  .  . 

Counter  battery  work  was  done  when  possible.  In  some 
instances  enemy  batteries  were  located  by  the  Artillery  O.  P.  S. 
and  by  the  S.  R.  S.  but  owing  to  our  infantry  operating  in 
the  vicinity  we  were  not  allowed  to  fire  on  them.  The  enemy 
employed  roving  guns  which  would  operate  from  positions 
very  close  to  the  front  line.  We  likewise  used  roving  guns 
with  considerable  success. 

The  plan  mentioned  above  grew  out  of  a  series  of  con- 
ferences beginning  on  October  27,  to  which  General  Bell  sum- 
moned all  his  subordinate  commanders  and  at  which  the 
endeavor  was  made  to  profit  by,  and  to  improve  upon,  the 
experience  gained  by  other  organizations  which  had  occupied 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  181 

that  sector.^^  The  plan  thus  evolved  met  with  the  approval 
of  the  Corps  Commander"*^  and  proved  extremely  effective 
throughout  hostilities. 

For  the  troops  of  the  33rd  Division,  the  ten  days  from 
October  27  to  November  5,  1918,  inclusive,  afforded  little  of 
interest  to  break  the  monotony  of  trench  life,  except  the  con- 
stant harassing  fire  to  which  they  were  subjected  by  the  enemy 
artlllery^^  and  the  unusual  activity  in  the  way  of  continual 
patrols  and  frequent  raids. '*'^  These  were  initiated  as  a  result 
of  orders  from  the  Corps  Commander  on  October  27  to  make 
such  reconnaissances  as  were  necessary  to  determine  the  exact 
front  held  by  the  enemy,  who  was  reported  to  have  withdrawn 
his  line  of  outposts  in  the  sector  opposite  the  39th  French 
Division.^^  They  were  followed  next  evening  by  instructions 
to  "have  reconnaissances  executed  this  very  night  destined  to 
sound  the  enemy  lines  and  to  bring  back  prisoners"*^  and  by 
orders  on  October  29  from  General  Bullard,  commanding  the 
Second  Army,  "to  take  contact  with  the  enemy  by  means  of 
patrols"  and  "to  make  1  or  2  raids  as  soon  as  possible  in  order 
to  make  prisoners."""  The  first  of  these  operations  took  place 
on  the  night  of  October  28-29,  and  they  were  of  daily  occur- 
rence thereafter, ^^  as  will  be  seen  in  the  subsequent  narrative. 

During  this  period  of  ten  days  several  events  transpired 
which  deserve  at  least  brief  mention.  On  October  27  there 
was  received  from  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps  an  Important 
addition  to  the  plan  of  defense  for  the  zone  of  St.  MihieP^ 
and,  in  compliance  with  General  Blondlat's  instructions,^^  the 
commanders  of  the  65th  and  66th  Brigades  were  informed  of 
the  extension  of  the  division  boundary,  the  new  limits  were 
defined,  and  these  officers  were  directed  to  make  a  study  of  this 
sector  with  a  view  to  its  reorganization.  They  were  likewise 
notified  that  each  brigade  subsector  was  to  be  held  by  one  regi- 
ment in  the  hne  and  one  regiment  at  rest.    The  commander  of 


182  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  instructed  to  consult  with 
his  fellow  brigadiers  and  to  formulate  a  plan  for  the  employ- 
ment of  his  guns  and  for  any  change  in  the  location  of  his  units 
deemed  advisable.^^  On  the  night  of  October  27-28  the  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  relieved  corresponding  units  of  the 
39th  French  Division  in  the  sector  to  the  south. ^^ 

Monday,  October  28,  was  noteworthy  for  the  issuance 
of  two  confidential  memoranda  by  the  division  P.  C,  and  that 
night  the  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  relieved  the  2nd 
Battahon  of  the  131st  Infantry  which  proceeded  toDeuxnouds, 
while  the  3rd  Battalion,  with  the  exception  of  Company  I 
and  the  regimental  band  which  marched  to  St.  Mihiel,  moved 
to  Chaillon.^*^  During  the  day  a  reconnaissance  was  made  by 
a  small  party  from  the  130th  Infantry,  while  that  night  a 
similar  operation  was  repeated  by  the  same  regiment  and  a 
patrol  from  the  132nd  Infantry  was  successful  in  taking  some 
prisoners.^' 

Tuesday,  October  29,  1918,  was  characterized  by  a  few 
events  of  importance.  Only  a  tentative  scheme  for  the 
reorganization  of  the  division  sector  was  submitted  to  the 
Corps  Commander  and  letters  were  sent  to  the  commanding 
generals  of  the  65th  and  66th  Brigades  informing  them  that 
"combat  liaison  with  units  of  adjoining  Divisions  and  Inter- 
Brigade  and  Regimental  [units]  will  be  assured  by  means  of 
mixed  posts. "^^  That  night  the  hearts  of  1,200  men  of  the 
33rd  Division  were  gladdened  when  special  trains  from  Vil- 
lers-sur-Meuse  carried  them  off  for  a  leave  of  seven  days  at 
Aix-les-Bains.^**  Two  daylight  patrols  by  the  130th  Infantry^^ 
were  supplemented  during  the  night  of  October  29—30  by  a 
reconnaissance  by  a  detachment  from  that  regiment  and  by 
four  other  patrols,  one  from  the  132nd  Infantry  being  suc- 
cessful in  taking  a  few  prisoners,  whereas  another  was  stopped 
north  of  Doncourt-aux-Templiers  by  a  heavy  concentration  of 


•.♦^^         ''I 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  183 

gas.^^  As  a  matter  of  fact  there  were  a  number  of  areas 
which  were  decidedly  "unhealthy"  that  night  owing  to  the 
greatly  increased  activity  of  the  enemy  artillery  all  along  the 
front  of  the  33rd  Division,  particularly  in  the  vicinity  of 
Fresnes-en-Woevre,  where  it  concentrated  more  than  2,300 
gas  and  high  explosive  shells  between   10:15  P.M.  and  1:10 

Wednesday,  October  30,  1918,  was  a  busier  day  in  the 
P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  at  Troyon-sur-Meuse  than  those 
immediately  preceding  it.  Instructions  were  sent  to  the  Divi- 
sion Engineer  Officer  to  maintain  a  liaison  officer  and  detach- 
ment with  each  brigade,  the  latter  to  assist  in  the  siting,  tra- 
cing, and  construction  of  positions.  The  commander  of  the 
55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  directed  to  submit  daily  a 
report  embodying  the  firing  which  he  contemplated  delivering 
during  the  ensuing  twenty-four  hours,  together  with  the 
objectives  proposed,  and  five  confidential  memoranda  deahng 
with  a  variety  of  subjects  were  issued. *^^  A  note  was  received 
from  the  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps 
announcing  that  the  Corps  Commander  approved  of  the 
tentative  plan  of  occupation  of  the  front  submitted  on  October 
29  but  requested  a  map  showing  the  positions  of  the  troops  in 
the  line  and  the  submission  before  November  5  of  a  plan  em- 
bodying the  entire  program  of  defensive  organizations.®* 

Beyond  a  slight  change  of  position  by  Company  A,  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,*^^  there  were  no  movements  of 
importance  during  the  day,  but  that  night  the  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  relieved  by  Company  D, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battahon,®®  and  this  latter  command  took 
over  all  the  gun  positions  of  the  subsector  Massachusetts.®'' 
There  were  two  patrols  sent  out  during  the  day  and  one  that 
night;  two  of  these  failed  to  obtain  contact  with  the  enemy 


184  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

but  the  daylight  patrol  from  the  130th  Infantry  had  a  lively 
fight  in  the  Tranchee  du  MouHn  de  Saulx.^^ 

Thursday,  October  31,  was  chiefly  notable  for  the  receipt 
of  a  letter  from  General  Blondlat  on  the  subject  of  the  neces- 
sity for  protection  against  gassed  areas  and  for  daily  reports 
specifying  such  localities  and  the  casualties  resulting  from  gas 
shelling.^®  This  caused  the  issuing  of  Training  Circular  No. 
188  on  the  subject  of  the  "New  Gas  Discipline"  which  was  to 
be  enforced  in  consequence,'^*^  and  was  followed  by  Confidential 
Memorandum  No.  32  requiring  all  telephone  lines  in  the 
division  to  be  tested  daily. "^  Notification  was  also  received 
that  the  136th  Field  Artillery  (less  its  2nd  BattaHon)  was  en- 
route  to  join  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps  and  upon  its 
arrival  would  be  assigned  to  the  33rd  Division.'^-  At  7:15 
A.M.  telephonic  instructions  were  received  from  the  corps  that 
the  "Alarm  Exercise"  would  begin  immediately;  the  units 
were  promptly  apprised  of  that  fact"^  and  the  entire  division 
was  held  in  readiness  for  any  eventuality  until  5  :30  P.M.,  when 
the  "recall"  was  sounded."^ 

An  interesting  side  light  on  the  condition  of  the  enemy 
forces  opposite  the  33rd  Division  was  revealed  in  the  inter- 
rogatory of  two  Austrian  prisoners  taken  by  the  132nd  In- 
fantry, which  is  thus  described  in  the  operations  report  issued 
by  the  division  P.  C.  that  day.'^^ 

Statements  of  2  prisoners  63rd  Inf.  Regt.,  35th  A.  H. 
Div.  This  Regt.  was  stationed  at  La  Beuville  and  small  units 
sent  forward  to  establish  outposts  in  front  of  Bois  des  Epines. 
Prisoners  stated  that  at  times  these  outposts  were  established 
400  yds.  out  of  the  woods.  They  also  stated  that  they  had 
orders  not  to  fire  on  patrols  or  small  armed  parties  attempting 
to  enter  the  woods,  but  to  ambush  them  and  take  them  prison- 
ers. Prisoners  stated  that  the  Inf.  in  this  vicinity  was  mostly 
Austro-Hungarian,  but  the  Artillery  was  German.  Morale 
was  stated  to  be  very  low,  food  scarce  and  of  poor  quality  and 
that  the  discipline  and  work  exacted  from  German  troops  and 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  185 

officers  was  unbearable.  There  has  been  no  withdrawal  of 
any  of  the  positions  occupied  by  the  enemy  on  our  front.  This 
was  established  by  observations  and  daylight  reconnaissances. 
Patrols  reported  that  the  enemy  is  strengthening  his  positions 
in  the  vicinity  of  Hill  233,  work  was  heard  on  the  suspected 
posts,  46.8 — 58.4. 

A  number  of  patrols  were  made  during  the  course  of  the 
day  and  night.  The  suspected  enemy  post  east  of  the  Woel- 
St.  Benoit-en-Woevre  road  at  the  northwest  point  of  the  Bois 
des  Haudronvilles  was  discovered  by  patrols  from  the  130th 
Infantry  to  be  actually  occupied,"*^  but  a  night  patrol  from  the 
132nd  Infantry  explored  the  plain  in  the  region  of  St.  Hilaire, 
Butgneville,  and  the  Bois  de  Warville  without  encountering 
or  even  seeing  any  signs  of  the  enemy. '^^ 

On  the  night  of  October  31— November  1  another  detach- 
ment of  1,200  men  from  the  33rd  Division  entrained  at  Vil- 
lers-sur-Meuse  for  Aix-les-Bains  for  a  leave  of  seven  days.''^** 

On  Friday,  November  1,  1918,  aside  from  the  customary 
daily  routine  work,  the  activities  of  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd 
Division  at  Troyon-sur-Meuse  were  confined  to  the  issuance 
of  two  training  circulars'^^  and  the  transmission  to  the  com- 
manders of  the  infantry  brigades  of  the  order  from  the  2nd 
Colonial  Army  Corps  respecting  reports  on  the  subject  of 
localities  shelled  with  gas.^*^  During  the  course  of  the  day  the 
following  document  was  received : 

At  the  H.  Q.  the  1st  November,  1918. 
Secret. 

Service  Note. 
The  Staff  [of  Marshal]   Foch  makes  known  that  it  is 
possible  that  the  Armistice  with  Austria  may  be  concluded 
shortly. 

The  Marshal  gives  the  order  that  endeavor  be  made  to 
learn  what  the  Austrian  Divisions  are  doing  along  our  front 
[and] 

To  watch  [them]  very  closely. 


186  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

H.  Q.  the  1st  November  1918. 
2nd  C.  a.  C.  True  Copy  Notified  to  the  General 

Staff  commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 

2nd  Bureau 

No.  822C/2  It  is  therefore  necessary  to  augment  the 

activity  of  the  patrols  and,  more  than  ever, 
to  capture  prisoners. 

By  Order.     The  Chief  of  Staff, 

Alambey. 

During  the  course  of  the  day  an  Austrian  deserter  gave 
information  that  the  63rd  and  64th  Austro-Hungarian  Regi- 
ments had  been  relieved  by  German  organizations.  A  patrol 
from  the  132nd  Infantry  penetrated  the  plain  as  far  as  the 
Bois  de  Warville  without  discovering  any  indications  of  the 
enemy.^^  One  patrol  from  the  130th  Infantry  had  a  similar 
experience  but  the  other  failed  to  return  that  day;^^  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  it  had  a  variety  of  encounters  which  will  be 
noted  presently. 

On  Saturday,  November  2,  1918,  the  division  P.  C. 
issued  a  confidential  memorandum  on  the  subject  of  the  assign- 
ment of  machine  gun  companies  to  infantry  battalions,  a 
memorandum  relating  to  the  grooming  of  horses,  and  an 
important  amendment  to  Training  Circular  No.  190.  The 
object  was  to  develop  leaders  among  the  various  units. ^^ 

Beyond  the  relief  of  Company  L,  132nd  Infantry,  in  the 
outpost  positions  at  Wadonville  by  Company  M  of  the  same 
regiment,  there  were  no  changes  of  position  worthy  of  men- 
tion. The  usual  patrols  were  made  that  day  and  during  the 
course  of  the  ensuing  night — one  from  the  132nd  Infantry 
skirted  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Warville  but  failed  to 
gain  contact  with  the  enemy. ^*  The  missing  patrol  sent  out  on 
Friday  by  the  3rd  Battahon  of  the  130th  Infantry  returned 
during  the  course  of  the  night  after  a  somewhat  checkered 
career  and  reported  that  it  had  found  the  enemy  trenches  and 
dugouts  northeast  of  Saulx-en-Woevre  unoccupied  but  that  it 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  187 

had  discovered  extensive  and  carefully  camouflaged  works 
about  eight  hundred  meters  farther  down  the  Longeau.  An 
enemy  patrol  was  encountered  along  this  stream  and  a  lively 
fight  ended  in  its  retreat  with  a  loss  of  two  men  killed  and  one 
wounded.  The  American  patrol  then  pushed  on  and  at  a 
point  about  one  kilometer  southwest  of  Marcheville  collided 
with  another  enemy  party  about  forty  strong.  Another  lively 
fight  resulted  in  the  killing  of  four  or  five  of  the  enemy  who 
then  beat  a  hasty  retreat  but  formed  in  considerable  strength 
under  cover  of  machine-gun  fire  from  the  copse  at  the  eastern 
terminus  of  the  Tranchee  du  Moulin  de  Saulx.  So  heavy  was 
this  fire  that  the  American  patrol  had  no  alternative  but  to 
withdraw  to  its  own  lines,  its  losses  confined  to  two  men 
missing.^^ 

The  commanding  oflUcer  of  the  136th  Field  Artillery 
reported  his  arrival  to  General  Kilbreth,^^  whose  guns  con- 
tinued their  customary  firing — 1,190  rounds  being  consumed 
that  twenty-four  hours  ending  at  6  P.M. — ^"^and  that  night  con- 
centrated heavily  on  the  Bois  d'HarvIlle  and  the  Bois  de 
Moulotte  in  conformity  with  orders  from  the  Second  Amer- 
ican Army.*^ 

That  Saturday  afternoon  General  Blondlat,  the  corps 
commander,  paid  a  short  visit  to  General  Bell  and  expressed 
his  wish  that  the  33rd  Division  undertake  some  operations  of 
greater  magnitude  than  the  usual  normal  patrols. ^^ 

Sunday,  November  3,  was  singularly  devoid  of  interest- 
ing events.  The  Issuance  of  one  training  circular, ^*^  two  inter- 
regimental  rellefs,^^  a  number  of  patrols  which  were  wholly 
unsuccessful  in  discovering  any  trace  of  the  enemy,^-  the  usual 
fire  of  the  divisional  artillery,  and  a  heavy  enemy  bombard- 
ment of  the  neighborhood  of  the  village  of  Tresauvaux  during 
the  night  of  November  3—4,^^  constituted  the  only  happenings 
worthy  of  even  passing  mention. 


188  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

By  contrast,  Monday,  November  4,  1918,  was  character- 
ized by  a  number  of  episodes  of  importance.  Apart  from  the 
daily  routine,  the  division  P.  C.  sent  out  Confidential  Memo- 
randum No.  34  prescribing  the  precautions  to  be  taken  against 
aerial  observation  and  the  securing  of  proper  protection  by 
means  of  camouflage,  and  a  training  circular  dealing  with  the 
subject  of  casualties  resulting  from  mustard  gas.  Orders  were 
also  dispatched  to  the  commanders  of  the  66th  Brigade  and 
the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  to  send  certain  detachments 
to  the  Fort  du  Camp  des  Romains  and  to  the  Fort  des 
Paroches  as  reenforcement  garrisons. ^^  At  7 :45  P.M.  a 
"secret,  urgent"  order  was  received  from  the  Corps  Com- 
mander directing  that  reconnaissances  strong  enough  to  pene- 
trate the  enemy's  outposts  zone  be  launched  against  well- 
chosen  points  with  a  view  to  securing  prisoners. ^^  As  a  matter 
of  fact,  during  that  day  and  the  ensuing  night^^  numerous 
patrols  were  made  which  scoured  most  of  the  plain,  especially 
between  St.  Hilaire  and  Jonville,  captured  or  killed  a  number 
of  the  enemy,  and  secured  some  important  identifications.^'^ 

At  8:30  P.M.  the  commanding  general  of  the  65th  In- 
fantry Brigade  issued  orders  for  a  raid  against  the  Chateau  et 
Ferme  d'Aulnois  to  be  made  by  two  companies  of  the  130th 
Infantry  and,  in  transmitting  a  copy  of  this  order  to  G-3  of 
the  division,  announced:  "If  able  to  pull  it  off  Wednesday 
morning  will  do  so."^^ 

That  Monday  a  notable  contribution  to  human  history 
was  made.  At  3  p.m.  the  Austrian  plenipotentiaries  signed  an 
armistice  embodying  all  the  terms  imposed  by  the  Allies  and  a 
cessation  of  hostilities  between  the  forces  of  the  Allies  and 
those  of  the  Imperial  and  Royal  Austro-Hungarian  Govern- 
ment on  land  and  sea  and  in  the  air  was  officially  announced^^ 
and  on  the  following  day  went  into  actual  effect  on  the  various 
fronts. 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  189 

On  Tuesday,  November  5,  1918,  at  8:25  A.M.  there  was 
received  at  the  message  centre  of  the  33rd  Division  at  Troyon- 
sur-Meuse  a  communication  from  General  Blondlat,  the  corps 
commander,  emphasizing  the  necessity  for  maintaining  close 
contact  with  the  enemy  In  the  event  of  his  withdrawal  and 
specifying  the  dispositions  which  he  wished  to  be  taken  to 
insure  this  desideratum. ^"°  Beyond  the  usual  daily  routine, 
there  was  substantially  no  event  of  Importance  that  day  at  the 
division  P.  C,  except  that  the  complete  plan  of  defense  of  the 
Troyon-Chaillon  sector  was  finished  and  delivered  to  the 
Corps  Headquarters  at  St.  Mihlel.^"^  At  6  P.M.  the  33rd 
Division  passed  from  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps  to  the 
17th  French  Army  Corps, ^*^-  although  the  actual  notification 
of  this  transfer  was  not  received  until  the  following  morn- 
jj^g  103  Yhe  fire  of  the  divisional  artillery  was  reduced  to  a 
minimum  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  front  was  covered  by 
patrols, ^"^  but  these  had  scant  success  in  their  operations  and^''^ 
nine  men  belonging  to  one  patrol  sent  out  by  the  130th  In- 
fantry were  surrounded  by  the  enemy  and  captured. ^"^  Thp 
troops  devoted  a  large  part  of  the  day  to  the  training  pre- 
scribed,^°"  and  the  raid  against  the  Chateau  et  Ferme  d'AulnoIs 
by  two  companies  of  the  130th  Infantry  was  fixed  for 
5  :45  A.M.  on  November  6  but  was  subsequently  revoked.  Later 
in  the  day  the  commanding  general  of  the  65th  Brigade, 
having  completed  the  arrangements  to  his  satisfaction,  ordered 
it  to  be  carried  out  on  Thursday,  November  7,  at  5  :45  A.M.^"^ 
The  1st  and  3rd  Battalions  of  the  132nd  Infantry  in  the  front 
lines  were  relieved  by  the  2nd  and  3rd  Battalions  of  the  131st 
Infantry  during  the  night  of  November  5—6,^*^''  when  th^ 
unusual  activity  of  the  enemy  machine  guns  and  the  number  of 
flares  displayed  in  various  parts  of  the  opposing  lines 
betokened  either  nervousness  on  the  part  of  the  foe  or  the 
occupation  of  the  sector  by  new  troops.  As  a  matter  of  fact, 
the  great  amount  of  circulation  observed  tended  to  establish 
the  correctness  of  the  latter  supposition. ^^*^ 


VIII.  IN  THE  TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  SECTOR  WITH 

THE  SECOND  AMERCAN  ARMY  AND  THE 

17TH  FRENCH  ARMY  CORPS 

On  Wednesday,  November  6,  1918,  the  principal  events 
in  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  were  the  issuing  of  Confi- 
dential Memorandum  No.  36 — which  announced  the  transfer 
of  the  division  to  the  17th  French  Army  Corps  at  6  p.m.  on 
November  5 — and  the  arrival  of  letters  for  the  commanders 
of  the  three  brigades  and  the  108th  Field  Signal  Battalion 
requesting  them  to  submit  the  names  of  men  to  attend  the 
school  of  liaison  between  aviation  and  line  troops  which  had 
been  newly  established  at  Saizerais.^ 

Preparatory  to  the  raid  on  the  morning  of  November  7 
two  companies  of  the  reserve  battalion  of  the  130th  Infantry 
were  moved  up  to  reenforce  the  1st  Battalion,  which  occupied 
the  positions  of  the  two  companies  destined  for  the  raid-  and, 
similarly,  Company  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  pro- 
ceeded from  its  reserve  position  to  Fresnes-en-Woevre,  where 
all  its  guns  were  in  readiness  before  daylight.^  A  patrol  from 
the  130th  Infantry  narrowly  escaped  being  ambushed  in  the 
copse  at  the  extremity  of  the  Tranchee  du  Moulin  de  Saulx, 
but  took  revenge  by  killing  twelve  and  capturing  one  of  the 
enemy,  luckily  without  suffering  any  loss  itself.^  On  the  right 
a  patrol  from  the  131st  Infantry  penetrated  the  plain  almost 
to  Butgneville  but  met  no  resistance  anywhere.^  Such  infor- 
mation as  had  been  obtained  at  that  time  indicated  that  the 
troops  immediately  in  front  of  the  33rd  Division  were  prin- 
cipally machine  gunners  but  all  signs  pointed  to  the  fact  that 

190 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  191 

the  enemy  had  no  intention  of  withdrawing  at  that  time.^ 
The  Machine  Gun  Company,  131st  Infantry,  occupied  the 
Longeau  Ferme  and  the  1st  Battalion  relieved  the  2nd  Bat- 
talion of  the  132nd  Infantry''^  which  rejoined  its  regiment  in 
the  rest  arca.^ 

Thursday,  November  7,  was  ushered  in  to  the  accompani- 
ment of  considerable  activity.  From  11 :30  P.M.  on  the  sixth 
until  2  A.M.  on  the  following  day  the  enemy  artillery  gassed  a 
large  area  around  St.  Remy  and  thus  greatly  hampered  the 
bringing  up  of  ammunition  for  the  55th  Field  Artillery  Bri- 
gade. The  113th  Field  Artillery  was  the  principal  sufferer, 
since  the  gassing  of  the  terrain  in  its  immediate  vicinity  pre- 
vented three  batteries  from  obtaining  the  smoke  shells  needed 
for  the  raid  and  Battery  C  was  completely  neutralized  by  gas 
shells  making  direct  hits  on  its  casemates.^ 

At  2;40  that  morning  the  "T.  S.  F."  at  the  P.  C.  of  the 
33rd  Division  picked  up  the  following  wireless  message  from 
Marshal  Foch  to  the  German  High  Command: 

The  German  plenipotentiaries  desire  to  meet  Marshal 
Foch  to  ask  him  for  an  armistice. 

They  will  have  to  present  themselves  at  the  French 
outposts  coming  by  the  road  Chimay-Formies-La  Capelle- 
Guise. 

Orders  have  been  given  to  receive  them  and  to  direct 
them  to  the  point  of  rendezvous.^® 

At  5  :45  A.M.  occurred  the  raid  against  the  Chateau  et 
Ferme  d'Aulnois,  in  which  Companies  A  and  C,  130th  In- 
fantry, participated.  Starting  from  the  trenches  east  of  Fres- 
nes-en-Woevre  under  cover  of  a  heavy  fire  from  seven  batteries 
of  75s  and  four  of  155s  under  the  immediate  command  of  Col- 
onel Lea^^  and  supported  by  the  guns  of  Company  D,  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion, ^^  Company  A  on  the  right  and  Com- 
pany C  on  the  left  of  the  road  running  north  to  Ville-en- 
Woevre  advanced  rapidly  against  the  chateau,  which  is  situ- 


192  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

ated  in  the  midst  of  the  farm  of  the  same  name,  east  of  the 
road  just  mentioned  and  about  three  hundred  yards  south  of 
the  highroad  from  Verdun  through  Haudiomont,  Pintheville, 
and  Harville  to  Metz.  The  Chateau  d'Aulnois  was  occupied 
by  a  force  of  approximately  a  platoon  from  the  60th  Land- 
wehr  Regiment  of  the  13th  German  Division,  and  these 
defenders  were  quickly  overpowered,  nine  were  killed,  one 
officer  and  twenty-one  men  were  made  prisoners,  and  two 
heavy  and  four  light  machine  guns  were  captured. ^^  At 
6  :25  A.M.  the  raiding  companies  were  safely  back  in  their  own 
trenches,  after  an  operation  crowned  with  success — doubtless 
due  to  the  fact  that  the  carefully  prepared  plan  for  this  affair 
had  been  carried  out  with  extraordinary  precision.^"*  In  this 
raid  only  one  man  was  slightly  wounded;  indeed  the  principal 
losses  fell  upon  the  artillery,  which  suffered  seventeen  casual- 
ties from  gas  shelling.^^ 

That  same  morning  two  patrols  from  the  131st  In- 
fantry^^  scoured  the  plain  northeast  of  Doncourt-aux-Tem- 
pliers  but,  although  one  remained  out  until  nightfall,  neither 
was  successful  in  locating  the  enemy. ^'^ 

Aside  from  the  issuance  of  Training  Circular  No.  193 
announcing  the  establishment  of  a  course  of  training  in  liaison 
between  aviation  and  line  troops  at  Saizerais,  the  P.  C.  of  the 
33rd  Division  sent  out  two  very  important  instructions.^^  Field 
Order  No.  32  announced: 

Pursuant  to  orders  from  the  Second  Army,  the  IV  Corps 
will  develop  the  situation  by  reconnaissances  in  force  by  attack- 
ing on  D  day  at  H  hour,  with  2  Brigades  of  Infantry,  in  the 
direction  of  Bois  de  Warville. 

The  65th  Brigade  was  accordingly  directed  to  attack 
Marcheville  at  the  appointed  time  with  one  battalion,  having 
another  battalion  in  support,  and  the  66th  Brigade  was  to 
attack  the  Bois  d'Harville  in  like  manner,  while  the  division 


BRIDGE,  ST.  HILAIRE,  TROVOX  SECTOR 


BRIDGE   BETWEEN   ST.    HILAIRE  AND   BUTGNEVILLE 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  193 

artillery  was  instructed  to  support  these  operations  by  the 
requisite  box  and  creeping  barrages.  Two  battalions  of  artil- 
lery were  to  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  Commanding 
General  of  the  IVth  American  Corps  and  the  commanders 
of  the  infantry  brigades  were  directed  to  submit  plans  for 
these  raids  not  later  than  5  P.M.  that  same  day.^'^ 

Field  Order  No.  33  instructed  the  129th  Infantry  to 
relieve  the  130th  in  the  Connecticut  subsector  beginning  on 
November  9,  and  in  consequence  the  necessary  reconnaissances 
were  made  that  day  by  the  former  regiment.^" 

At  10:40  A.M.  the  ensuing  telegram  was  received  from 
the  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  Second  American  Army : 

The  following  telegram  received  from  G.  H.  Q.  repeated 
for  your  compliance: 

"H.  A.  E.  F.,  Nov.  7,  1918,  Commanding  General, 
Second  Army,  A.  E.  F.,  November  7,  1918,  6:00  a.m.,  the 
following  message  from  Marshal  Foch's  Headquarters  trans- 
mitted for  necessary  action : 

'If  Parliamentarians  present  themselves  at  any  point  on 
the  front  to  submit  a  request  to  Marshal  Foch,  they  will  be 
stopped  at  the  front  line  Division.  The  Division  will  immedi- 
ately inform  Marshal  Foch  of  their  status  and  the  object  of 
their  mission.  They  will  be  detained  at  the  Division  until 
Marshal  Foch  has  made  known  his  reply.'     Acknowledge. 

McAndrews/' 
Heintzelman.21 

At  8  :15  P.M.  a  communication  was  received  from  the  17th 
Army  Corps-^  quoting  in  English  a  telegram  sent  at  4:25  P.M. 
by  the  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  Second  American  Army  to  the 
Corps  Commander  announcing  that,  inasmuch  as  the  35th 
American  Division  was  to  arrive  in  the  area  of  the  17th  Army 
Corps  on  November  9  and  was  to  be  billeted  west  of  the 
Meuse,  General  Bullard  "directs  that  all  elements  of  the  33rd 
Division  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse  and  south  of  the  line 
Thillombois-Woimbey  both  exclusive,  be  moved  east  of  the 

13 


194  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Meuse  in  the  33rd  Division  area  before  ten  hour*  November 
9th."  In  transmitting  a  true  copy  of  the  above  order  to  Gen- 
eral Bell  for  execution  and  the  necessary  instructions  for  the 
evacuation  of  the  zone  south  of  that  line,  the  Chief  of  Staff 
of  the  17th  Army  Corps  announced  that  the  battalions  then 
cantoned  at  Recourt,  Tilly,  and  Woimbey  were  not  affected 
thereby;  that  the  Corps  Commander  was  contemplating  a 
regrouping  of  the  brigade  reserve  regiments  on  the  right  bank 
of  the  Meuse  and  accordingly  desired  that  on  November  10  a 
map  be  sent  him  embodying  the  requisite  locations;  but  that  no 
regiments  were  to  be  moved  except  upon  orders  of  the  Corps 
Commander. 

Not  to  be  outdone  by  his  fellow  brigadier,  General  Wolf 
had  issued  orders  on  November  6  to  Colonel  Sanborn  to  make 
a  raid  against  St.  Hilaire  with  two  companies  of  the  131st 
Infantry,  and  during  the  course  of  November  7  the  date  and 
'|iour  for  this  operation  were  fixed  for  November  8  at  5  :30 
A.M.-^ 

The  night  of  November  7—8  witnessed  the  completion  of 
the  relief  of  the  35th  Division  by  the  81st  Division  (Major 
General  Charles  J.  Bailey)  in  the  extreme  right  sector  of  the 
First  American  Army  and  immediately  north  of  that  held  by 
the  33rd  Division.-^ 

The  night  of  November  7-8  was  also  noteworthy  for 
four  patrols  which  were  attended  with  more  than  average 
success.  Of  the  two  sent  out  by  the  130th  Infantry,  to  operate 
between  Champion  and  Marcheville,  the  reconnoitring  patrol 
was  late  in  returning  and  achieved  but  little;  the  combat  patrol 
cleaned  up  the  copse  at  the  eastern  terminus  of  the  Tranchee 
du  Moulin  de  Saulx,  a  favorite  lurking  place  for  the  enemy, 
and  captured  one  man  who  was  so  badly  wounded  that  he  died 
on  the  way  back.-^  The  first  patrol  from  the  131st  Infantry 
encountered  no  one,  whereas  the  second  captured  ten  prisoners 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  195 

and  had  a  lively  time  getting  back  under  heavy  artillery  and 
machine-gun  fire.-*'  Indeed  the  raid  that  Thursday  morning 
stirred  the  enemy  artillery  into  renewed  activity-'^  and  that 
night  certain  of  the  divisional  batteries  were  heavily  shelled. ^^ 
Friday,  November  8,  1918,  opened  with  another  raid. 
The  attacking  force  was  composed  of  two  provisional  com- 
panies, numbering  one  hundred  men  each,  from  the  131st 
Infantry,  the  whole  under  the  command  of  Captain  William 
M.  Wilson.  The  party  assembled  at  the  road  junction  in  the 
Bois  de  Thillot  and  proceeded  at  1  :10  A.M.  via  St.  Maurice, 
Woel,  and  Doncourt-aux-Templiers  to  the  Ruisseau  de  Mou- 
,tru,  their  movement  impeded  by  a  number  of  hindrances  such 
as  wire  of  various  sorts,  barricades,  and  a  destroyed  bridge. 
One  platoon  was  sent  to  the  Moncel  sawmill  southwest  of  St. 
Hilaire  to  cut  off  escape  in  that  direction  and  the  remainder  of 
the  force  reached  the  east  bank  of  the  brook  southeast  of  St. 
Hilaire  at  5  :3  5  A.M.  Ten  minutes  later  the  barrage  came 
down  in  front  of  it,  stood  for  fifteen  minutes,  and  began  to 
creep  forward,"^  whereupon  the  front  rank  plunged  through 
the  stream  and  formed  on  the  jumping-off  line.  A  reconnais- 
sance to  the  front  and  a  short  distance  forward  along  the 
Doncourt-St.  Hilaire  road  revealed  no  trace  of  the  enemy 
but  a  similar  operation  toward  the  St.  Hilaire-Butgneville 
road  resulted  in  a  white  flare  being  sent  up.  This  was  im- 
mediately followed  by  a  burst  of  enemy  machine-gun  fire,  which 
forced  the  troops  to  take  refuge  in  shell  holes,  and  twenty-six 
other  machine  guns  promptly  opened  upon  them.  This  fire 
was  apparently  too  much  for  thirty  men,  who  started  to  fall 
back,  whereupon  orders  for  withdrawal  were  at  once  given  by 
the  officer  in  command.  The  retirement  was  made  in  perfect 
order,  with  frequent  halts  to  permit  volleys  to  be  delivered. 
The  route  taken  lay  across  country  in  order  to  minimize  the 
casualties,  but  machine-gun  fire  was  encountered,  followed  by 


196  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

heavy  shelling  of  the  area  In  front  of  Wadonville,  while  the 
St.  Hilaire-Doncourt  road  was  deluged  with  "whizz  bangs," 
large  shells,  and  overhead  shrapnel.  In  due  time  this  raiding 
force  got  back  to  the  lines  of  the  131st  Infantry  with  a  loss  of 
only  one  man  killed  and  three  wounded.  One  lone  prisoner 
constituted  the  sole  capture  made^^  but,  inasmuch  as  he 
belonged  to  the  439th  Regiment,  the  order  of  battle  in  that 
sector  of  St.  Hilaire  was  confirmed. ^^ 

As  a  matter  of  fact  the  capture  of  this  prisoner,  coupled 
with  that  of  the  two  noncommissioned  officers  and  eight  men 
of  the  210th  Regiment  of  the  4Sth  German  Division  taken 
near  the  Bois  de  Warville  by  Patrol  No.  5  of  the  131st  In- 
fantry,^- confirmed  the  presumed  order  of  battle  of  the 
enemy^*"*  and  supplied  extremely  Important  Information  as  to 
the  composition  of  the  hostile  forces  opposite  the  33rd  Divi- 
sion. This  was  announced  In  Bulletin  No.  114  Issued  by  the 
117th  Army  Corps  that  afternoon^*  which  contained  the 
following  account : 

Order  of  Battle. 

The  enemy  opposes  to  our  Division  In  line  3  Divisions  on 
the  front  Chateau  d'Hannoncelles-JonvIlle. 

From  the  west  to  the  east: — 13th  Landwehr  Division, 
94th  Division,  45th  Reserve  Division. 

The  Order  of  Battle  of  the  regiments  of  the  13th  Land- 
wehr Division  and  94th  Division  has  not  changed.  .  .  . 

The  prisoners  of  the  210th  Regiment  captured  at  the 
Bois  de  Wavrllle  declare  that  the  regiment  is  In  liaison  with 
the  211th  (Reserve  Regiment)  on  their  left.  The  210th  has 
only  one  battalion  In  the  first  line.  It  is  probable  that  the 
45th  Reserve  Division  has  Its  3  Regiments  In  line  echelonned 
In  great  depth. 

The  Order  of  Battle  of  this  Division  from  west  to  east 
should  be: — 210th,  211th  and  212th  [regiments]. 
History  of  the  45th  Reserve  Division. 

[This  Division]  Is  composed  of  the  210th,  211th  and 
212th  Reserve  Regiments.    Recruited  in  Pomerania, 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  197 

Formed  in  September,  1914,  the  45th  Reserve  Division 
participated  in  the  Battle  of  Ypres  and  remained  in  Belgium 
until  about  the  middle  of  1916.  In  September  it  went  through, 
with  heavy  losses,  the  British  attack  at  Courcellette  and 
Thiepval. 

In  1917  this  Division  fought  on  the  Aisne  and  at  the 
Chemin  des  Dames,  then  held  sectors  at  Eparges,  in  Flanders, 
north  of  St.  Mihiel  and  in  the  region  of  Bohain. 

It  participated  in  the  German  offensive  of  the  21st 
March,  1918,  in  the  direction  of  Ham.  It  was  twice  engaged 
near  La  Fere-en-Tardennois  after  the  attack  of  the  27th  of 
May  and  we  found  it  again  in  the  Argonne  where  it  sought 
to  arrest  the  American  advance  in  the  last  days  of  September. 
Aside  from  serious  losses  in  wounded,  412  prisoners  remained 
in  our  hands  during  the  first  fortnight  of  October. 

Reheved  about  the  20th  of  October,  the  45th  Reserve 
Division  was  reported  in  the  Woevre  at  the  beginning  of 
November  in  the  sector  of  Jonville,  previously  occupied  by  the 
35th  Austro-Hungarian  Division. 

Until  then  this  Division  has  been  considered  as  a  very 
good  unit  but  its  effectives  in  line  do  not  now  exceed  40  to  45 
rifles  per  Company  and  it  has  not  obtained  any  rest  after  its 
relief  in  the  Argonne  and  its  re-engagement  in  the  Woevre.  .  . . 

Indications  of  Retreat: 

The  prisoners  of  the  210th  Reserve  (Regiment)  have 
not  heard  any  project  of  retreat  mentioned. 

Our  constant  observations  report  several  fires  In  the 
region  of  Conflans  and  explosions  in  the  region  of  Chambley 
and  in  the  outskirts  of  Marcheville. 

The  daily  routine  In  the  division  P.  C.  was  relieved  by  a 
few  communications  out  of  the  ordinary.  Two  letters  were 
sent  to  the  Corps  Commander,  one  apprising  him  that  the  1st 
Battalion,  135th  Field  Artillery  (75s),  and  the  1st  Battalion, 
136th  Field  Artillery  (155s),  had  been  designated  to  be  placed 
at  the  disposal  of  the  IVth  American  Corps,  the  other  relating 
to  the  garrisons  for  the  forts  In  the  sector.  Two  training 
circulars^^  and  the  annex  to  the  plan  of  defense,  entitled  "Con- 
duct In  case  of  retreat  of  the  enemy,"^*^  were  issued.^'^     The 


198  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

following  interesting  communication  emanating  from  Marshal 
Foch  was  received  at  8:15  p.m.  that  day: 
Secret.    STAFF     [at]    Laheycourt — 8    November    1918 — 
4  hours  to  Staff  [at]  Regret. 

General  Commanding-in-Chief  telegraphs  the  7th  No- 
vember as  follows : 

"It  can  happen  that  the  enemy  may  spread  the  rumor 

that  an  armistice  is  signed  in  order  to  deceive  us.    There 

is  none;  let  no  one  cease  hostilities  of  any  sort  without 

information  from  the  Marshal  Commanding-in-Chief." 
IInd  a.  U.  S.  True  copy  notified  for  execution  to  the 

17th  Army  Corps     General  commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 

Staff  At  the  H.  Q.  the  8  November  1918 

3rd  Bureau  By  Order.    The  Chief  of  Staff, 

No.  823-S/3  R.  Kastler. 

33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 

During  the  hours  of  daylight  that  Friday  no  patrols  were 
sent  out  by  the  131st  Infantry,  which  was  engaged  in  prepara- 
tions for  a  new  raid  against  the  village  of  St.  Hilaire  in  con- 
formity with  orders  from  the  commanding  general  of  the  66th 
Brigade,  by  whom  the  date  and  hour  were  fixed  as  November  9 
at  5  :30  A.M.^^  On  the  other  hand,  the  130th  Infantry  was 
decidedly  active  that  day.  Company  F  drove  the  enemy  out 
of  the  copse  at  the  eastern  extremity  of  the  Tranchee  du 
Moulin  de  Saulx,  which  was  promptly  occupied  and  held  in 
spite  of  continuous  shelling,  while  another  patrol  found  Bussy 
deserted  and  proceeded  to  take  possession  of  it.^^ 

For  the  majority  of  the  troops  of  the  33rd  Divi- 
sion the  day  was  spent  largely  in  the  training  prescribed  and, 
except  for  a  few  minor  changes  of  positions,  there  were  no 
movements  of  any  consequence.  Preliminary  to  relieving  the 
130th  Infantry^^  during  the  night  of  November  9—10,  the 
129th  Infantry  made  the  necessary  reconnaissances  and  such 
other  preparations  as  are  requisite  in  an  operation  of  this 
nature.^^ 

That  Friday  was  particularly  notable  for  the  arrival  of 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  199 

the  German  plenipotentiaries  at  the  Chateau  de  Francfort, 
belonging  to  the  Marquis  de  I'Aigle,  where  they  were  ushered 
into  the  presence  of  Marshal  Foch,  who  was  attended  by  Gen- 
eral Weygand,  his  chief  of  staff,  and  Admiral  Wemyss  of  the 
British  Navy.  The  principal  events  of  that  brief  conference 
were  picked  up  by  wireless  at  12:50  P.M.  that  day  and  pub- 
lished to  the  33rd  Division  by  a  G-2  bulletin  which  ran  as 
follows : 

The  German  plenipotentiaries  have  received,  Friday 
morning,  at  the  General  Headquarters  of  the  Allies,  the  con- 
ditions of  an  Armistice.  Also  gave  them  the  privilege  cither 
to  refuse  or  to  accept  them  within  72  hours  ending  Monday 
morning  at  1 1 :00  A.M.  (French  time). 

The  German  proposition  for  an  immediate  temporary 
suspension  of  arms  was  rejected  by  Marshal  Foch. 

A  German  courier  carrying  the  text  of  the  conditions  for 
an  Armistice  was  sent  to  Spa,  no  other  way  of  communication 
being  practical. 

Please  to  acknowledge  receipt  and  transmit  as  soon  as 
possible,  by  courier,  your  latest  instructions. 

A  new  committee  of  delegates  is  not  necessary  for  the 
present. 

Ertzberger. 

The  German  plenipotentiaries  for  an  Armistice  beg  the 
German  High  Command  to  send  immediately  the  two  officers 
of  the  Navy  and  one  officer  of  the  General  Staff. 

Later,  on  November  8,  a  second  G-2  bulletin  was  issued, 
containing  the  following  information  for  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  33rd  Division: 

From:     German  Plenipotentiaries  to  the  German  High 

Command. 

The  courier,  Captain  Paul  Helldorf,  will  cross  the  lines 
between  6:00  and  8:00  hours  in  the  evening  (French  time) 
in  a  German  automobile.  He  left  La  Capelle  and  followed 
the  Haudroy— Roquigny-Fourmis— Trelon  road.  Please  assure 
his  passage. 

Officers  of  the  General  Staff  and  2  Naval  Officers  have 
crossed  the  lines  and  followed  the  same  itinerary. 


200  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Please  indicate  by  T.  S.  F.  the  day  and  hour  of  their 
arrival  at  the  French  advance  posts. 

The  French  High  Command  will  take  the  necessary 
measures  to  assure  their  passage. 

(Signed)     Von  Winterfield. 

A  fair  example  of  German  methods  which,  in  this  in- 
stance, proved  a  temporary  obstacle  to  one  of  their  own  pleni- 
potentiaries, was  the  following  wireless  message  picked  up  by 
the  division  station  at  11 :35  that  evening: 

To  the  German  High  Command  : 

The  German  Captain,  von  Helldorf,  whose  passage  has 
been  announced  by  General  von  Winterfeld,  is  waiting  for  the 
German  fire  to  cease  in  order  to  enter  the  German  lines  by  the 
La  Capelle-Fourmies  Road.  The  French  have  ceased  firing  at 
18:00hours.4- 

Saturday,  November  9,  1918,  was  an  active  day  for  the 
33rd  Division.  At  3  a.m.  a  strong  patrol,  composed  of  an 
officer  and  forty  other  ranks,  from  the  131st  Infantry  pushed 
out  into  the  plain  but,  upon  reaching  Wadonville,  was  con- 
fronted by  an  enemy  barrage  and  therefore  returned  at  7  A.M. 
without  having  encountered  any  hostile  parties  or  having 
learned  anything  of  importance.^^ 

The  second  raid  against  St.  Hilaire  was  organized  by 
Major  Francis  M.  Allen,  commanding  the  3rd  Battalion  of 
the  131st  Infantry  and,  like  the  former,  was  composed  of  two 
provisional  companies  of  one  hundred  men  each.  As  Major 
Allen  was  taken  ill,  the  raid  was  placed  under  the  command 
of  Captain  James  C.  Stockwell.  The  zone  of  action,  limits, 
and  objective  were  identical  with  the  raid  of  the  previous 
morning.  At  5  A.M.  the  divisional  artillery  opened  with 
destructive  fire  against  St.  Hilaire  which  lasted  for  forty-five 
minutes.  Smoke  and  high  explosive  shells  were  also  thrown  on 
Marcheville,  Butgneville  and  the  southwest  edge  of  the  Bois 
d'Harville,  this  fire  continuing  until  6:30  A.M.^'^    At  5  :35  the 


^■^/ 


BRIDGE  ON   HARVILLE-MANHEULLES  ROAD,   FORGES  SECTOR 


BRIDGE  AT  MARCHEVILLE,  TROYOX  SECTOR 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  201 

raiding  companies  were  formed  up  across  the  St.  Hilaire — 
Butgneville  road,  facing  the  former  village,  and  at  5  :45  A.M. 
the  raid  was  launched.  The  advance  was  made  exactly  as 
scheduled,  the  troops  passing  through  and  around  the  town, 
which  was  encircled  with  wire  entanglements  except  at  the 
point  of  entrance  of  the  road  from  Maizeray.  At  no  place  was 
any  resistance  met  and  indeed  the  only  enemy  seen  were  two 
men  who  beat  a  hasty  retreat  at  the  commencement  of  the 
attack.  Only  wrecked  machine-gun  posts  were  discovered 
and  at  8 :30  a.m.  the  raiding  companies  reached  their  own 
positions  empty-handed  but  luckily  without  having  suffered 
casualties.^^ 

Aside  from  the  usual  daily  routine,  the  situation  and 
operation  reports  rendered  to  the  Corps  and  General  Head- 
quarters and  two  confidential  memoranda^^  constituted  the 
only  communications  emanating  from  the  division  P.  C.  that 
Saturday^'^  worthy  of  recording  here.  At  11:15  P.M.  there 
was  delivered  at  the  message  centre  Secret  Field  Order  No. 
18,  issued  by  the  Headquarters  Second  Army  on  November  9, 
1918,  at  18:30  hours;  this  announced  that  the  "reports  re- 
ceived indicate  that  the  enemy  is  withdrawing  progressively 
on  our  front,  from  west  to  east,  leaving  a  shell  to  cover  his 
departure"  and  that  "the  First  Army  is  pushing  forward  on 
our  left."  It  therefore  directed  the  Second  Army  to  carry  out 
the  mission  prescribed  in  Field  Order  No.  13  under  date  of 
November  1,^^  and  ordered  this  movement  to  "commence  at 
once."  No  change  was  made  in  the  mission  of  the  Vlth  Corps, 
while  the  following  instructions  were  given  for  the  others: 

(b)  The  IV  Corps  will  advance  its  left  in  liaison  with 
the  XVII  Corps  (Fr.)  and  will  take  advantage,  in  advancing 
its  center,  of  preparations  already  made  to  carry  out  Field 
Orders  No.  14. 

(c)  The  XVII  Corps  will  push  the  enemy's  withdrawal 


202  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

without  delay,  maintaining  liaison  with  the  right  of  the  First 
Army  (81st  Division). 

To  this  order  was  attached  a  memorandum  which  ran 
thus: 

2nd  a.  U.  S. 
17th  Army  Corps 

Staff  Transmitted  for  execution 

3rd  Bureau  to  the  General  commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 
No.  845  S/3 

The  raids  indicated  for  tomorrow  morning  on 
Marcheville  (3cos.)  and  Warville-Htes.  Epines  (2cos.) 
will  be  carried  out  in  the  way  that  they  have  been  planned. 
However,  the  General  commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 
should  prescribe  supporting  elements  ready  to  exploit 
the  results  of  these  raids  by  pushing  up  to  close  contact 
with  the  enemy. 

By  order.     The  Chief  of  Staff, 

R.  Kastler. 

On  November  9  the  81st  American  Division  on  the  left 
(north)  of  the  33rd  launched  a  general  attack  against  the 
enemy  and  advantage  was  taken  of  the  diversion  thus  created 
to  send  out  patrols.  The  first  to  start  was  composed  of  two 
officers  and  forty  other  ranks  from  the  131st  Infantry,  who  set 
out  at  1 1  A.M.  for  the  Bols  de  Warville.  About  350  meters 
beyond  the  road  from  Doncourt-aux-Templiers  to  St.  Hilaire 
they  were  greeted  by  machine-gun  fire  a  point  in  advance  of 
that  wood  but  drove  the  enemy  into  Butgneville.  This  move- 
ment carried  the  patrol  into  a  species  of  pocket  where  it  found 
itself  under  machine-gun  fire  from  the  front  and  flanks  and  an 
artillery  barrage  which  progressed  from  the  front  of  St. 
Hilaire  down  the  road  toward  Doncourt  in  Its  rear  under  the 
direction  of  an  enemy  aeroplane.  The  futility  of  further 
advance  was  manifest  and  the  detachment  withdrew  to  Its  own 
lines  at  4:30  P.M.  without  effecting  any  captures  and  having 
itself  lost  three  men. 

A  second  patrol,  Identical  in  force  and  composition -with 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  203 

the  former,  started  out  from  Wadonvillc  at  9  :30  p.m.  It  pro- 
ceeded to  St.  Hilaire,  which  was  found  flooded;  caught  sight 
of  an  enemy  patrol  in  retreat  and  an  enemy  post  on  the  east 
bank  of  the  Moutru  Brook  carrying  off  a  machine  gun;  en- 
countered heavy  fire  from  beyond  the  St.  Hilaire— Butgncville 
road;  located  an  empty  strong  point  and  some  machine-gun 
emplacements;  and  returned  at  2:30  A.M.  on  November  10  to 
its  own  lines,  without  having  taken  any  prisoners  and  with  two 
wounded  men.^^ 

At  1  P.M.  the  130th  Infantry  began  its  operations  by  send- 
ing three  patrols,  an  interesting  account  of  which  is  given  by 
Major  Woodward  :^^ 

On  morning  of  November  9th  the  81st  Division  on  our 
left  started  a  general  attack  along  their  front.  At  about  1  :00 
P.M.  acting  under  orders  of  Brigade  Commander,  three 
patrols,  of  two  platoons  each,  were  started  out  from  Fresnes, 
one  in  direction  of  Riaville,  one  to  Pintheville,  and  one  to 
Chateau  d'Aulnois.  The  patrol  to  Riaville  proceeded  to 
within  50  yards  of  the  entrance  to  [the]  town  where  they 
were  met  by  heavy  machine  gun  fire  and  forced  to  retire,  leav- 
ing two  privates  killed,  one  man  severely  wounded  who  was 
subsequently  captured  and  two  men  slightly  wounded.  The 
patrol  to  Pintheville  also  met  with  heavy  machine  gun  fire  and 
returned  without  casualties.  Patrol  to  Chateau  d'Aulnois  had 
only  proceeded  some  few  hundred  yards  from  our  out-post 
line  when  a  German  patrol  of  about  sixty  men  was  discovered 
to  their  left  and  rear.  It  was  evident  that  this  patrol  had 
come  out  with  the  intention  of  working  around  the  flank  of  the 
81st  Division.  A  fight  ensued,  our  patrol  retiring  on  our  out- 
post line  closely  followed  by  the  Germans  but  here  they  were 
repulsed,  and  our  artillery  put  down  a  barrage  which  caught 
them  retreating  and  inflicted  heavy  casualties.  Immediately, 
two  other  patrols  were  sent  out  from  our  out-post  line  but 
were  driven  back  by  heavy  machine  gun  fire  along  entire  line 
from  Chateau  d'Aulnois  to  Riaville.  The  night  of  November 
9/ 10th  was  marked  with  no  activity  with  exception  of  harass- 
ing gas  shelling  by  the  enemy  and  our  own  protective  patrols. 

Allusion  has  already   been   made   to   the   occupation   of 


204  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Bussy  and  Saulx  on  November  8  by  the  2nd  Battalion  of  the 
130th  Infantry.^i 

On  the  morning  of  November  9th  1918,  the  Battalion 
P.  C.  was  moved  forward  to  Saulx.  All  companies  moved 
forward,  occupying  dugouts  and  trenches  adjacent  to  the  town. 
At  dusk  two  platoons  of  Co.  H,  under  command  of  Lieut. 
Rawalt,  left  to  raid  Pintheville  and  two  platoons  of  Co.  F  and 
two  from  Co.  H  started  out  to  raid  Marcheville.  The  out- 
posts of  the  enemy  were  reached  and  engaged. 

In  the  meantime  orders  were  received  to  attack  and  hold 
Marcheville  on  the  morning  of  November  10th  1918.  Orders 
were  immediately  sent  out  for  all  troops  except  the  outposts 
to  withdraw  to  Saulx  and  preparations  were  made  immediately 
for  the  attack  on  Marcheville.^- 

The  resistance  which  was  everywhere  encountered 
plainly  indicated  that  the  enemy  positions  were  held  by  troops 
of  another  calibre  from  the  indifferent  Austro-Hungarians  who 
had  occupied  the  sector  at  the  time  when  the  33rd  Division 
relieved  the  79th.  This  transformation  in  the  nature  of  the 
opposition  is  thus  described  by  Colonel  Sanborn  :^^ 

Following  the  signing  of  the  armistice  with  Austria  by 
the  Allies  all  Austrian  troops  were  shortly  thereafter  with- 
drawn from  the  front.  In  the  sector  on  our  immediate  front 
they  were  replaced  by  Prussians  and  a  considerable  change  was 
noticed  in  the  character  of  the  resistance  as  well  as  the 
efficiency  of  the  troops.  Prisoners  did  not  come  forward  and 
give  themselves  up.  Machine  gunners  were  very  active  in 
occupying  flanking  positions  and  withdrawing  promptly  when 
threatened  with  envelopment.  The  N.  C.  O.  of  one  machine 
gun  company  stated  that  he  had  observed  our  large  patrols, 
one  of  which  passed  close  to  their  nest  in  the  dark  without 
seeing  it.  He  stated  that  when  large  patrols  passed  they  kept 
perfectly  quiet  [and]  afterwards  made  report  of  what  they 
had  seen.  The  group  were  afterwards  captured  by  a  night 
patrol,  a  member  of  which  heard  slight  noise  in  the  bushes 
and  went  over  to  investigate  it.  Localities  that  were  occupied 
by  numbers  of  machine  guns  were  found  deserted  at  other 
times.  Evidently  their  efforts  were  directed  in  making  dispo- 
sitions which  would  cut  off  a  patrol.    They  apparently  studied 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  205 

the  routes  usually  taken.    Once  at  least  the  enemy  was  in  posi- 
tion on  three  sides  of  a  patrol  which  retreated. 

The  raid  and  patrols  above  mentioned  were  not  the  only 
active  operations  that  day.  During  the  course  of  the  day  this 
officer  received  orders  from  the  commanding  general  of  the 
66th  Brigade  at  once  to  "send  out  two  companies  to  gain  and 
keep  contact  with  the  enemy"  and  to  "clean  out  the  Bois  des 
Htes  Epines  and  Bois  de  Warville."  From  these  woods  the 
units  in  question  were  to  dispatch  "strong  patrols  through 
Bois  Vachere,  Bois  Vieux,  toward  Jonville,  or  until  contact  Is 
made  v/ith  enemy,  which  contact  will  be  maintained."  The 
Bertaucourt  Ferme  was  also  to  be  reconnoitred  and  emphasis 
was  laid  upon  the  necessity  of  keeping  constant  touch  with  the 
enemy  and  liaison  with  these  companies  in  order  to  insure 
the  obtaining  of  "all  possible  information"  in  respect  to  the 
enemy's  strength.  That  this  operation  was  considered  excep- 
tionally Important  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  Colonel  San- 
born was  notified  that  it  would  "be  supported,  if  necessary,  by 
the  remainder  of  the  Brigade."^*  The  commanding  officer  of 
the  131st  Infantry  immediately  proceeded  to  comply  with 
these  instructions  and  the  sequel  is  briefly  told  by  him^'"'  as 
follows : 

Companies  A  &  B,  1st  Battalion,  under  command  of  Cap- 
tain William  M.  Wilson,  were  detailed  for  this  duty  and  left 
Doncourt  about  7  p.m.,  marching  Northeast  in  the  direction 
of  Bois  des  Hautes  Epines.  A  detachment  from  Co.  B  pre- 
ceded the  column  into  the  woods,  followed  by  the  remainder 
of  the  company.  A  few  enemy  were  driven  out.  Complete 
possession  was  gained  at  8  p.m.  and  Battalion  P.  C.  established 
at  54.1 — 55.6  [i.  e.,  about  1,100  yards  southeast  of  Butgne- 
ville,  on  the  southern  slopes  of  Cote  227  and  just  west  of  the 
enemy  wire]. 

1st  Lt.  Herman  B.  Gegenback  with  Company  A  occupied 
Bois  la  Vachere  about  10  P.M.  A  detail  under  2nd  Lt.  Burl 
F.  Hall  attempted  to  occupy  Bois  Vieux,  but  on  account  of 


206  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

wire  entanglements  and  enemy  resistance  was  obliged  to  with- 
draw. 

2nd  Lt.  Patrick  D.  Cronin  with  a  detail  of  forty  men 
overcame  enemy  machine  gun  resistance  in  Bois  de  Warville, 
occupying  same  at  2  a.m.  the  10th. 

In  addition  to  these  dispositions,  warning  orders  were 
received  at  11  :30  that  morning  from  the  brigade  commander 
"to  prepare  for  an  advance  and  be  ready  to  move  out,  fully 
equipped,  when  ordered. "^°  This  was  followed  by  orders 
issued  at  1  P.M.  directing  the  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun 
Company  of  the  132nd  Infantry  to  move  "at  once"  from 
Deuxnouds  to  St.  Maurice  and  the  3rd  Battalion  from  Woim- 
bey  to  Deuxnouds,  while  the  rest  of  the  regiment  was  to  hold 
itself  "ready  to  move  on  instant  notice. "^^  Since  the  opera- 
tions prescribed  by  the  divisional  Field  Order  No.  32^^  were 
destined  to  take  place  next  day,  an  order  was  issued  at  10  P.M. 
prescribing  a  raid  to  be  made  by  the  131st  Infantry  "on  'D' 
day  at  'H'  hour  in  the  direction  of  La  Beuville"  the  mission 
of  which  was  "to  clean  out  Bois  d'Harville,  to  take  prisoners 
and  kill  Boches."''^  Upon  receipt  of  these  instructions  shortly 
before  midnight,  Colonel  Sanborn  immediately  issued  orders 
that  his  three  battalions  and  two  companies  of  the  124th  Ma- 
chine Gun  Battalion  assemble  at  Doncourt  next  morning  at 
five  o'clock. ^*^ 

In  the  meantime  the  65th  Brigade  had  been  scarcely  less 
active.  The  order  for  an  attack  on  Marcheville  by  the  130th 
Infantry  issued  by  the  brigade  headquarters  on  November  8 
was  set  in  operation  by  a  memorandum  at  2:30  P.M.  announ- 
cing that  "  'D'  day  will  be  November  10,  1918,  and  'H'  hour 
5  :45  A.M."^^  During  the  day  warning  orders  were  also  sent 
out  to  the  various  unit  commanders  apprising  them  of  the 
movements  to  be  made  that  day,  preparatory  to  the  attack  of 
the  morrow  and  in  anticipation  of  a  major  operation  in  the 
near  future.    The  dispositions  for  the  latter  were  embodied  in 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  207 

Field  Order  No.  10  issued  at  seven  o'clock  that  evening,^^ 
which  announced  the  withdrawal  of  the  enemy  and  an  advance 
in  the  general  direction  of  Conflans  by  the  17th  French  Army 
Corps  in  liaison  with  the  First  American  Army.  As  part  of 
the  French  corps  the  65th  Brigade  was  to  move  forward 
through  a  zone  bounded  on  the  west  by  a  line  from  Fresnes-en- 
Woevre  through  Parfondrupt  and  on  the  east  by  Hannon- 
ville-sous-les-Cotes,  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Warville, 
the  Bois  de  Harville,  and  the  village  of  Bramville-en-Woevre, 
but,  as  was  customary,  the  date  and  hour  for  this  advance 
were  not  fixed  until  later. 

In  conformity  with  the  warning  orders  mentioned  above 
there  were  a  number  of  movements  that  day  by  units  of  the 
65th  Brigade.  At  6:30  p.m.  the  entire  129th  Infantry,  with 
the  exception  of  the  supply  company,  was  concentrated  at 
Ranzieres.^^  At  four  o'clock.  Company  D,  123rd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  left  the  Bois  de  Ranzieres  for  Fresnes-en- 
Woevre  to  participate  in  the  attack  next  morning  by  the  130th 
Infantry^^  and  during  the  night  the  3rd  Battahon  of  that  regi- 
ment moved  up  from  the  reserve  to  the  support  position  and 
sent  two  companies  forward  to  the  hill  at  Combres.^^  Owing 
to  some  uncertainty  as  to  the  progress  made  that  day  by  the 
81st  Division  and  particularly  as  to  the  exact  whereabouts  of 
its  right.  Colonel  Clinnin  was  directed  by  a  code  telephone 
message  at  8  :40  p.m.  to  guard  with  care  his  own  left  flank. 
Furthermore,  to  assist  his  attack  next  morning  General  King 
took  the  precaution  to  request  General  Wolf  to  keep  the 
neighborhood  of  St.  Hilaire  and  the  road  from  that  place  to 
Marcheville  under  machine-gun  fire  during  that  operation.^'' 

That  wet,  foggy  Saturday  was  characterized  by  consid- 
erable activity  on  the  part  of  the  opposing  artilleries.  The 
enemy's  guns  expended  some  1,800  rounds  in  the  sector  of  the 
33rd  Division,  principally  in  harassing  fire  of  high  explosives 


208  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

and  gas  in  the  region  of  Fresnes,  Tresauvaux,  les  fiparges, 
Combres,  Saulx  and  Champlon,*^'^  to  the  manifest  discomfiture 
of  the  troops  of  the  130th  Infantry.^^ 

Sunday,  November  10,  1918,  was  no  day  of  rest  in  the 
Troyon-sur-Meuse  sector,  especially  for  the  Boches.  It 
opened  at  5  :40  a.m.  with  a  concentration  of  fire  on  the  town 
of  Marcheville,  coupled  with  a  standing  barrage  in  front  of 
the  enemy  trenches  from  a  point  in  advance  of  Cote  233  to 
another  directly  south  of  Marcheville, "^  executed  by  nine  bat- 
teries of  75s  and  four  batteries  of  155s  of  the  divisional 
artillery  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Lea.'''^  Five  minutes 
later  had  been  designated  as  the  "H"  hour  and  at  that  minute 
the  barrage  began  to  roll  forward  to  protect  the  2nd  Battalion 
of  the  130th  Infantry,  which  had  been  selected  to  make 
the  advance."^^  This  attack,  in  which  Company  D,  123rd  Ma- 
chine Gun  Battalion,  played  an  important  role,  is  thus 
briefly  but  graphically  described  by  Major  (then  Captain) 
Gravenhorst,  commanding  the  battalion  i"^^ 

All  men  were  given  a  hot  meal  at  2  :00  a.m.  November 
10th,  the  ammunition  supply  replenished  and  all  preparations 
completed  for  the  attack  on  Marcheville.  The  Battalion  took 
up  the  designated  position  behind  the  barrage  line  and  moved 
forward  behind  the  barrage  at  5 :45  A.M.  The  assaulting 
waves  consisted  of  Companies  F  and  G,  Companies  E  and  H 
in  support.  As  the  attack  progressed  the  enemy  resistance 
became  stronger,  also  he  brought  numerous  machine  guns  into 
the  fight,  having  machine  guns  placed  in  trees  and  concrete 
pillboxes.  Our  troops  continued  the  advance,  mopping  up 
trenches,  capturing  pillboxes  and  inflicting  heavy  losses  on  the 
enemy.  The  resistance  became  so  stubborn  that  it  was  neces- 
sary for  Companies  E  and  H  to  be  brought  forward  at  an 
early  stage  of  the  fight  and  all  companies  were  heavily  engaged 
during  the  entire  day.  Marcheville  was  captured  and  all  the 
enemy  were  either  killed,  captured  or  driven  out  of  the  town 
by  10:00  A.M.  The  enemy  kept  up  a  heavy  machine  gun  and 
artillery  fire  on  the  town  and  the  trenches  captured -by  our 


BRIDGE    AT    FISMES-EX-WOEVRE 


iRIDGE    ON    HARVri.LE-MANHEULLES    ROAD,    TROYOX    SECTOR 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  209 

troops,  and  launched  a  counter  attack  in  the  afternoon,  wliich 
was  repulsed.  The  Battalion  held  the  place  until  relieved  by 
a  Battahon  of  the  129th  Infantry  at  4:00  A.M.  November 
11th  1918.  The  number  of  prisoners  captured  by  our  troops 
in  this  attack  numbered  six  officers  and  eighty-four  men. 

This  modest  account  scarcely  conveys  an  adequate  under- 
standing of  the  importance  of  this  operation.  Marcheville 
was  an  integral  part  of  the  line  of  resistance  of  the  enemy .'^^ 
Naturally  strong,  it  had  been  solidly  fortified,  both  the  town 
and  the  chateau  being  thoroughly  protected  by  wire  entangle- 
ments. It  was  held  by  the  5th  and  6th  Companies  of  the  2nd 
Battalion  and  a  detachment  of  the  machine  gun  company  of 
the  365th  German  Infantry  (94th  German  Division)  who  had 
orders  to  "hold  at  all  costs"'^^  and  who  were  additionally  pro- 
tected by  numerous  machine  guns  securely  sheltered  in  houses 
and  concrete  emplacements.  Although  smothered  under  the 
fire  of  the  American  artillery  and  apparently  taken  by  sur- 
prise,"^^  these  troops  put  up  such  a  stout  opposition  that  two 
companies  of  the  3rd  Battalion  had  to  be  sent  to  reenforce  the 
attacking  units. "^^  Although  the  enemy  suffered  heavy  casual- 
ties, lost  twelve  machine  guns  and  a  150-millimeter  howitzer, "^"^ 
was  definitely  driven  out  of  Marcheville  and  his  positions 
north  of  that  place  imperiled  to  such  an  extent  that  their 
abandonment  was  only  a  question  of  a  short  time,  he  never- 
theless made  a  stiff  resistance  and  was  quick  to  retaliate.'^  His 
ability  in  the  latter  respect  was  manifested  by  four  counter- 
attacks, two  of  which  culminated  in  driving  the  two  companies 
of  the  130th  Infantry  occupying  Marcheville  back  to  the 
trench  system  southeast  of  the  village.  Not  content  with  this, 
he  followed  it  up  by  two  additional  counterattacks  coupled 
with  terrific  shelling  but  these  were  repulsed, '^^  partly  because 
of  the  accuracy  of  the  fire  of  the  divisional  batteries  which 
landed  their  shells  squarely  in  the  midst  of  the  German 
waves. ^'^      In   spite   of   this   active   fighting,    which    at   times 

(14 


210  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

threatened  to  become  serious,  several  patrols  were  sent  out 
that  day  in  order  to  maintain  close  contact  with  the  enemy  and 
to  gain  all  possible  information  as  to  his  Intentions,  and  liaison 
was  also  kept  by  means  of  a  patrol  with  the  324th  Infantry,^^ 
forming  the  extreme  right  of  the  81st  Division,  which  was 
engaged  in  a  general  attack  that  day  in  the  adjoining  sector  on 
the  north. ^- 

In  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  a  busy  day  was  spent  in 
preparations  for  the  important  attack  against  the  Hindenburg 
line  in  the  Troyon  sector  which,  if  successful,  would  open  the 
road  to  Metz.  In  consequence  of  the  orders  from  the  Second 
American  Army  and  the  17th  French  Army  Corps  received 
the  previous  evening  at  11:15,^^  Field  Order  No.  34  was 
issued  at  9  A.M.^  opening  with  the  announcements  that  "reports 
received  indicate  that  the  enemy  is  withdrawing  progressively 
on  our  front,  from  west  to  east,  leaving  a  shell  to  cover  his 
departure;"  that  "the  81st  DIv.  is  pushing  forward  on  our 
left;"  and  that  "the  28th  DIv.  on  our  right  and  other  Divi- 
sions of  the  Second  Army  pushed  forward  at  7 :00  A.M. 
today."    It  then  went  on  to  direct  that: 

The  33rd  Division  will  carry  out  the  mission  laid  down 
in  "Combat  in  case  of  Withdrawal  of  the  Enemy,"  Annex  No. 
11,  to  Defense  Scheme,  Troyon — Chaillon  Sector,  dated  Nov. 
8th,  1918.    The  movement  will  commence  at  once. 

The  greatest  expedition  is  necessary.^^ 

At  1 1  :40  that  morning  there  was  received  through  the 
17th  Army  Corps  a  true  copy  of  Field  Order  No.  19  issued 
by  the  Headquarters  of  the  Second  Army  at  1  :30  A.M.  that 
day.^^  It  began  with  the  declaration  that  "it  is  reported  that 
the  enemy,  disorganized,  is  withdra\ying  along  the  entire 
front"  and  that  "the  First  Army  is  pushing  forward  on  our 
left,"  and  stated  that  the  Second  Army  would  "attack  at  7 
hours,  10th  November,  and  follow  closely  the  enemy  in  his 
withdrawal,  pushing  him  with   all   energy  to   secure   decisive 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  211 

results,  and  holding  all  ground  taken."  Instructions  were 
given  to  the  Vlth  Corps  to  advance  "west  of  the  Seille  River 
(along  the  heights  on  both  banks  of  the  Moselle  River,  in  the 
direction  of  Corny,"  while  the  IVth  Corps  in  the  centre  was 
to  "attack  in  the  direction  of  Vionville."  The  left  was  to  be 
formed  by  the  17th  French  Army  Corps,  which  was  instructed 
to  "attack  in  the  direction  of  Conflans,"  its  zone  of  action 
being  limited  by  the  western  boundary  of  the  IVth  Corps^^  on 
one  hand  and  the  line  "Fresnes-en-Woevre  ( inch) -Par fond- 
rupt  (excl.)— Lancefontaine  (inch)"  on  the  other. 

Aside  from  the  customary  daily  situation  and  operations 
reports  rendered  to  the  French  Army  Corps  and  to  the  Amer- 
ican General  Headquarters,  no  further  orders  of  major  im- 
portance were  issued  during  the  course  of  the  day,  but  by  tele- 
phone and  other  means  close  communication  with  the  65th 
and  66th  Brigades  was  maintained,  so  that  every  detail  of 
their  operations  was  known.  At  6  :40  that  afternoon  instruc- 
tions were  received  from  the  17th  Army  Corps^^  quoting  the 
opening  paragraphs  of  the  "Order  of  Operations  of  the  Ilnd 
A.  U.  S.  for  the  day  of  the  1  Ith"*^^  and  adding  thereto  certain 
instruction  as  to  the  missions  to  be  performed  by  the  33rd 
Division  next  day.^^  These  provisions  were  promptly  em- 
bodied in  the  following  order,^*^  which  was  at  once  dispatched 
to  all  the  units  concerned  and  additionally  distributed  to  such 
other  commanders  as  would  in  any  wise  be  interested  in  the 
operations  prescribed : 

Secret  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  A.  E.  F., 
Field  Order  10  Nov.,  1918 11:00  p.m. 

No.  3S. 
Maps  :       Vigneulles  "A"  and  "B"      1 :20,000 
Metz,  S.  W.  &  S.  E.  1 :50,000 

CoMMERCY,  N.  W.  &  N.  E.  1 :50,000 
1.      (a)      The  attack  is  progressing  on  the  whole  front  of  the 
Second  Army  in  spite  of  stubborn  resistance. 


212  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

(b)  The  28th  Div.  on  our  right  has  captured  the  north- 
east edge  of  Bols  des  Haudronvilles  Bas  and  Bois 
des  Haravillers. 

(c)  The  81st  Div.  on  our  left  holds  the  general  line 
Fresnes-en-Woevre — 1  km.  south  of  Ville-en- 
Woevre — Southern  edge  of  La  Noire  Haye 
Wood — southeastern  edge  of  Bois  de  Manheulles. 

2.  Tomorrow,  November  11,  1918,  the  33rd  Division  will 
resume  its  attack  and  develop  with  energy  the  success 
already  obtained. 

3.  (a)      The  65th  Inf.  Brig.,  keeping  liaison  with  the  81st 

Div.  on  its  left  will  seize  and  hold  Riaville,  Pinthe- 
ville,  Maizeray  and  Harville. 

(b)  The  66th  Inf.  Brig.,  keeping  liaison  with  the  28th 
Div.  on  its  right,  will  seize  and  hold  the  northeast 
edge  of  Bois  d'Harville,  small  wood  1200  meters 
northeast  of  la  Bertaucourt  Fme.,  Jonville. 

(c)  The  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  will  so  place  its 

batteries  as  to  support  the  various  attacks. 

(d)  The  65th  Inf.  Brig,  will  begin  its  attack  at  5:00 
A.M.  and  the  66th  Brig,  at  5  :45  A.M. 

(e)  All  ground  gained  will  be  held  and  close  contact 
will  be  maintained  with  the  enemy. 

4.  Administrative  details :     No  change. 

5.  P.  C.'s:         33rd  Division     No  change 

65th  Brigade      Combres  after  5  :00  A.M. 
66th  Brigade      No  change 
Arty.  Comdr.     No  change. 

Bell 
Major  General. 
Meanwhile,  apart  from  its  active  operations  in  the 
region  of  Marchevllle,^^  other  events  of  importance  had 
occurred  in  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade.  The  arrival  of  the 
division  Field  Order  No.  34  at  the  brigade  headquarters  at 
Mouilly  decided  General  King  to  make  a  slight  modification 
in  the  order  which  he  had  issued  the  previous  evening  at  seven 
o'clock^-  and  to  announce  that  it  would  be  put  into  operation 
on  November  11  at  5  A.M. — both  of  which  were  set  forth  in 
memorandum  orders  issued  at  3  :45  that  afternoon."^     Every 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  213 

preparation  was  made  for  the  important  attack  scheduled  for 
the  following  morning  and  a  thorough  understanding  of  the 
general  plan  was  obtained  from  the  division  Field  Order  No. 
35  received  during  the  night. '^^ 

Preparatory  to  reheving  the  130th  Infantry  in  the  front 
lines  that  night  and  to  forming  the  leading  element  of  the  65th 
Brigade  in  the  attack  next  morning,  the  129th  Infantry 
started  from  Ranzieres  about  2  p.m."^  A  march  of  about  ten 
miles  brought  it  to  Herbeuville,  Fresnes,  and  Saulx  before 
midnight  and  two  hours  earlier  Colonel  Myer's  P.  C.  was 
established  at  the  last-named  place.^°  At  4:30  A.M.  on  No- 
vember 1 1  the  relief  was  completed, ^^  with  the  exception  of 
the  2nd  Battalion  of  the  130th,^^  and  the  troops  were  held  in 
readiness  for  the  approaching  attack. 

In  the  meantime  the  66th  Brigade  had  contributed  its 
share  to  the  successes  achieved  that  day.  The  orders  hurriedly 
issued  shortly  before  midnight  by  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  131st  Infantry^^  were  embodied  in  formal  written  instruc- 
tions covering  the  contemplated  operation^*'^  and  were  sent  out 
about  4  A.M.  About  an  hour  later  the  troops  destined  to  make 
the  attack  against  the  Bois  d'Harville  were  all  assembled  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Doncourt-aux-Templiers,  whence  they 
moved  forward  to  their  appointed  stations  in  the  Bois  des 
Hautes  fipines  and  the  Bois  de  Warville^'^^ — from  which  the 
enemy  had  been  driven  during  the  course  of  the  night — ^^^  and 
by  7:15  A.M.  were  reported  as  in  position. ^^^ 

The  Bois  d'Harville,  destined  to  be  the  scene  of  hard 
fighting  that  day  and  the  next,  is  thus  described  by  Colonel 
Sanborn  :^^^ 

This  wood  lies  between  the  towns  of  Jonville  and  Har- 
ville,  through  which  towns  the  enemy  trench  line  extends.  The 
southeastern  edge  of  the  wood  lies  600  meters  northeast  from 
the  northeast  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Warville.  The  wood  is 
from  500  to  600  meters  wide,   extending  northeast    1,700 


214  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

meters,  where  it  joins  the  Bois  de  Montelle.  The  Jonville — 
Harville  Road  crosses  the  woods  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy 
trench  line  about  800  meters  from  the  southwest  edge.  It 
was  recognized  early  in  the  operations  of  November  10th  that 
this  wood  was  a  veritable  stronghold,  occupied  in  force.  A 
prisoner  stated  that  it  was  held  by  a  Regiment  of  Infantry. 
Penetration  into  the  wood  developed  the  fact  that  strong  wire 
entanglements  ran  through  it  in  every  direction,  cleverly  con- 
cealed by  brushes  and  dominated  by  machine  gun  nests  on  the 
paths  as  well  as  on  platforms  in  the  trees.  Strong  wire  and 
machine  gun  nests  on  the  outer  edges  made  penetration  by  our 
patrols  impossible. 

About  daylight  St.  Hilaire  was  occupied  without  opposi- 
tion by  a  company  from  the  2nd  Battalion  and  four  machine 
guns,  in  conformity  with  orders  received  the  previous  even- 
ing.^"'' About  9  A.M.  the  commanding  officer  of  the  131st 
Infantry  directed  his  battalion  commanders  to  inform  him 
concerning  their  position. ^"^  At  10:35  Captain  Wilson  was 
instructed  to  "advance  and  occupy  La  Bertaucourt  Farm  and 
hold  it  as  a  flank  protection  to  the  troops  attacking  Harville 
Woods,"^°^  and  ten  minutes  later  the  disposition,  requiring  the 
2nd  and  3rd  Battalions  to  withdraw  after  they  had  attained 
their  objective,  was  revoked  by  instructions  to  Captain  Stock- 
well  to  "select  a  position  forward  in  Harville  Woods  and  hold 
j|.  "108  'Pq  (-j^g  inquiry  as  to  when  he  would  be  ready  this  last 
officer  made  response  that  he  "would  attack  at  2  p.M."^°^ 

Early  that  morning  the  divisional   artillery  was  busily 

occupied   in   supporting   the    attack   of    the    130th    Infantry 

against  Marcheville,  and  the  shelling  in  the  forward  area  of 

the  131st  was  therefore  comparatively  desultory,""  indeed  so 

much  so  as  to  elicit  inquiry  from  the  commander  of  the  1st 

Battalion  as  to  how  long  it  would  continue."^    About  10  A.M. 

a  number  of  the  guns  were  turned  on  the  Bois  d'Harville  but 

;t  v/as  agreed  that  this  fire  should  cease  at  eleven  o'clock  and 

information  to  that  effect  was  dispatched  to  Captain  Stock- 
well."2 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  215 

At  1 1  :05  A.M.  Captain  Wilson  received  the  order  to 
attack  La  Bertaucourt  Ferme  and  accordingly  designated 
Company  A,  under  Lieutenant  Gegenback,  for  that  purpose, 
ordering  it  to  advance  on  the  right.  At  the  same  time  Com- 
pany D  under  Lieutenant  Cronin  was  withdrawn  from  the  Bois 
de  Warville  and  directed  to  attack  on  the  left,  but  at  1 1  :20 
word  was  received  from  Captain  Magner  that  he  had  changed 
the  time  for  the  attack  to  1 1  :45  A.M.  and  both  companies  were 
therefore  withdrawn  to  the  edge  of  the  Bois  les  Hautes 
fipines.  At  the  hour  indicated  the  attack  was  launched  but  a 
heavy  flanking  fire  was  met  from  La  Vachere  Bois,  which  had 
meanwhile  been  occupied  by  the  enemy.  The  progress  of 
Company  A  was  completely  arrested  but,  nevertheless,  it  kept 
up  a  lively  frontal  fire  against  the  farm  in  order  to  cover  the 
right  of  the  3rd  Battalion  in  its  attack  on  the  Bois  d'Harville. 
However,  when  the  latter  fell  back.  Company  A  had  no 
alternative  but  to  follow  suit  and  to  take  a  more  sheltered 
position  in  the  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines.^'^ 

After  this  attack  occurred  a  lull  during  which  Company 
A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  took  position  in  the  rear  of 
the  forming-up  line^^^  and  orders  were  issued  to  the  com- 
mander of  Company  C  to  send  a  platoon  of  infantry  and  two 
machine  guns  to  the  northeastern  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Hara- 
villers  to  establish  liaison  with  the  110th  Infantry  of  the  28th 
Division. ^^^  At  one  o'clock  Captain  Magner  was  directed  to 
assume  command  of  the  assaulting  battalion,  to  attack  and 
capture  the  Bois  d'Harville,  and  an  hour  later  he  reported 
that  his  advance  had  begun. ^^'^.  The  troops  had  scarcely 
emerged  from  the  Bois  de  Warville,  about  2:18  p.m.,  when 
the  enemy  sent  up  a  signal  for  his  S.  O.  S.  barrage  and  they 
were  greeted  by  such  a  heavy  artillery,  machine-gun,  and  rifle 
fire  that  some  of  the  troops  were  compelled  to  take  to  cover. 
The  advance  was  quickly  resumed  by  means  of  squad  rushes 


216  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

but  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  Bois  d'HarvIlle 
the  enemy  barrage  descended  in  the  midst  of  the  leading 
troops,  who  retorted  by  a  rush  which  drove  the  enemy 
infantry  back  and  enabled  them  to  seize  the  edge  of  the  wood. 
In  spite  of  all  opposition,  wire,  and  intense  fire  of  every  sort, 
the  3rd  Battalion  pushed  sturdily  forward,  broke  through  the 
Hindenburg  line,  and  about  3  :20  P.M.  reached  their  objective 
just  beyond  the  sunken  road.^^^ 

This  success  was  not  achieved  unaided,  for,  apart  from 
the  protection  afforded  by  Company  A  near  La  Bertaucourt 
Ferme,  the  first  check  caused  the  2nd  Battalion  and  Company 
B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  to  be  sent  forward  in  sup- 
port. Company  H  being  sent  to  the  right  as  an  additional  pro- 
tection to  that  flank.  These  reenforcements  enabled  the 
advance  to  be  resumed  and  carried  the  attack  forward  to  its 
goal,^^^  so  that  Captain  Magner  was  enabled  to  telephone  at 
3:55  P.M.  to  Captain  Malstrom,  the  operations  officer  of  the 
131st  Infantry,  that  he  had  "reached  objective"  designated  in 
the  regimental  field  order. ^^^  One  officer  and  sixty-one  other 
ranks  were  taken  prisoners^^"  and  the  capture  of  this  portion 
of  the  Bois  d'Harville,  added  to  that  of  Marcheville  seized 
by  the  65th  Brigade  that  morning,  wrested  from  the  enemy 
"two  important  elements  of  the  principal  line  of  resistance"^-^ 
which  were  vital  to  him  in  the  retention  of  the  Troyon  sector. 

This  achievement,  however,  was  not  an  unalloyed  success 
for,  as  Colonel  Sanborn  remarked  :^^- 

Further  advance  was  checked  and  rendered  impossible  by 
heavy  wire  encountered.  Many  machine  guns  were  forward 
of  this  wire  in  position,  others  were  enfilading  the  position 
from  the  right  and  enemy  shells  were  falling  in  increasing 
volume.  An  enemy  detachment  was  observed  approaching  on 
the  left  from  the  direction  of  Butgneville,  threatening  that 
flank.  Troops  held  on  to  the  position  however  until  about 
6  P.M.  at  which  time  gas  became  so  dense  that  further  occu- 


TROY  ON -SUR-M  FUSE  217 

pancy  either  by  our  own  or  enemy  troops  became  impossible 
and  they  withdrew  to  the  northeast  edge  of  the  Bois  de  War- 
ville. 

About  six  o'clock  the  enemy,  who  had  infiltrated  a  con- 
siderable force  into  La  Vachere  Bois,  was  seen  to  be  forming 
in  three  waves  for  an  attack  against  the  right  and  rear  of  the 
troops  in  the  Bois  d'Harville  but,  in  spite  of  an  enemy  bar- 
rage on  its  position,  Company  A,  which  was  still  holding  its 
ground  opposite  La  Bertaucourt  Ferme,  was  successful  in 
breaking  up  this  impending  attack  before  it  could  be 
launched. ^-^  Its  action  contributed  materially  to  warding  off 
any  interference  by  the  enemy  with  the  withdrawal  of  the 
troops  in  the  Bois  d'Harville,  which  began  about  5  :30  P.M. 
and  terminated  about  eight  o'clock,  although  two  machine-gun 
platoons  were  unable  to  retire  until  long  after  midnight,  owing 
to  the  violence  with  which  the  enemy  shelled  the  open  terrain 
between  the  Bois  d'Harville  and  the  Bois  de  Warville.^-^ 

Meanwhile  various  events  had  occurred  in  the  rear.  Al- 
lusion has  already  been  made  to  the  movements  of  the  132nd 
Infantry  on  November  9  preparatory  to  supporting  the 
13 1st. ^^^  On  the  evening  of  November  10  that  regiment  was 
ordered  forward  to  positions  in  the  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines,  at 
Doncourt,  Woel,  and  Avillers  where  they  spent  the  night  of 
November  10—1 1.^-^  Company  H  and  a  platoon  of  Company 
C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  were  sent  to  St.  Hilaire^^^ 
to  reenforce  Company  F,  131st  Infantry,  and  the  third  platoon 
of  the  same  machine-gun  company  which  had  garrisoned  that 
place  during  the  day.^'^  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  was  to  have  marched  with  the  1st  Battalion  of  the 
132nd  Infantry  but  underwent  a  variety  of  vicissitudes  that 
day,  although  it  eventually  reached  Woel  at  1 1  p.m.  and  spent 
the  night  at  that  place. ^^^ 

At  9  A.M.  General  Wolf  issued  his  orders  with  a  view  to 


218  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

taking  advantage  of  the  ground  gained  in  the  Bois  d'Harville 
and  to  attacking  Jonville  and  Butgneville  next  day.^^*'  An- 
nouncement was  made  that  the  mission  of  the  66th  Brigade 
would  be  "to  seize  and  hold  the  remainder  of  the  Harville 
Woods  and  the  village  of  Jonville  and  to  maintain  contact  with 
the  enemy."  To  this  end  he  directed  two  attacks  to  be  made 
on  the  morning  of  November  11.  The  first  attack  was  to  be 
delivered  at  5  :45  A.M.  against  Butgneville  by  the  two  com- 
panies then  in  St.  Hilaire  under  the  command  of  Captain  Wig- 
glesworth.  The  second  attack,  scheduled  for  8  A.M.,  was 
divided  into  two  phases.  It  was  to  open  with  an  attack  by 
the  131st  Infantry,  less  two  companies,  but  reenforced  by 
Companies  A  and  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  which 
were  to  "seize  and  hold  the  remainder  of  the  Bois  d'Harville." 
The  second  phase  was  an  attack  against  Jonville  to  be  deliv- 
ered by  two  columns.  The  1st  Battalion  of  the  132nd  Infantry 
and  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  on  the  north, 
were  to  pass  through  the  131st  Infantry  at  the  northern  edge 
of  the  Bois  d'Harville  and  to  take  Jonville  from  the  rear.  On 
the  south  the  3rd  Battalion  of  the  132nd  Infantry,  reenforced 
by  Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  was  to  proceed 
from  the  Bois  des  £pines  along  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois 
d'Harville,  in  liaison  with  the  other  force  and  to  make  a  direct 
assault  along  the  flanks  of  the  enemy  trenches  against  Jon- 
ville, which  they  were  directed  to  seize  and  hold. 

During  the  course  of  the  evening  the  necessary  orders 
were  issued  in  conformity  with  the  above  instructions, ^^^ 
among  them  directions  to  Captain  Wigglesworth  at  St.  Hilaire 
to  attack  and  hold  Butgneville  at  the  termination  of  the  artil- 
lery bombardment. ^^^  During  the  night  of  November  10—11 
the  114th  Field  Artillery  and  the  1st  Battalion,  115th  Field 
Artillery,  moved  down  from  the  heights  into  the  plain, in  posi- 
tion to  support  the  65th  Brigade  next  morning.^^^ 


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TROYON-SUR-AIEUSE  219 

Throughout  the  occupation  of  the  Troyon  sector,  the 
108th  Engineers  had  performed  most  efficiently  work  of  such 
various  kinds  as  falls  to  the  lot  of  that  arm  of  the  service,  and 
during  November  10  had  sent  forward  all  necessary  material, 
made  all  arrangements  possible,  and  the  requisite  number  of 
engineer  companies  were  with  the  advanced  forward  units  in 
readiness  for  the  advance. ^^^ 

"Coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before;"  for  several 
days  prior  to  November  10  rumors  had  been  persistently  cir- 
culated that  an  armistice  was  on  the  eve  of  conclusion.  That 
these  rumors  were  not  confined  to  the  American  and  French 
troops  is  manifest  from  the  interrogatories  of  prisoners  that 
day  and  their  testimony  was  the  more  interesting  in  that  it 
revealed  the  dire  straits  in  which  the  enemy  found  himself.  A 
Landwehr  lieutenant  named  Pfeiffer,  v/ho  was  captured  at 
Marcheville  and  who  belonged  to  the  6th  Company,  2nd  Bat- 
talion, 365th  German  Infantry  Regiment,  declared  that  their 
rations  consisted  of  "750  grams  of  bread  issued  daily  while 
the  men  are  in  line,  issues  in  small  quantities  of  butter,  lard, 
marmalade  alternate  daily.  Men  are  also  issued  cheese  and 
sausage  in  small  quantities.  For  the  last  three  days  the  men 
in  the  Vorfeld  (outpost)  were  practically  without  food.  A 
direct  hit  had  demolished  the  kitchen  in  Marcheville,  the  cook 
was  killed  and  1 1  men  wounded.  The  men  about  town  carried 
away  the  food,  leaving  the  men  in  the  outposts  without  ra- 
tions."^^-^  A  soldier  named  Wetzstein  of  the  15th  Landwehr 
Regiment  in  PIntheville  stated  that  the  feeling  was  prevalent 
that  "the  soldiers  have  now  come  to  their  own;  if  war  does 
not  end  in  next  few  days,  if  Germany  has  no  notion  to  quit, 
the  soldiers  will.  They  have  no  further  interest  in  the  war." 
A  "Combat  Secretary"  named  Schraum  disclaimed  any  knowl- 
edge of  the  presence  of  any  reserve  except  the  rest  battalion 
and  declared  that  "peace  must  come  soon"  since  "the  morale 
of  the  men  will  not  hold  much  longer." 


220  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

The  testimony  of  a  Lieutenant  Slgush  of  the  9th  Com- 
pany, 3rd  Battalion,  2 1 0th  Reserve  Infantry  Regiment  of  the 
45th  German  Reserve  Division,  who  was  captured  about 
4:30  P.M.  in  the  Bois  d'Harville,  was  particularly  valuable. 
He  announced  that  his  company  "had  already  been  filled  with 
peace  fever,  and  as  a  result  most  of  them  refused  to  fight  and 
ran  away"  but  he  and  a  few  men  held  out  until  surrounded. 
He  made  statements  to  the  effect  that : 

1  extra  company  of  reserve  battalion  had  been  sent  into 
front  line  as  punishment.  During  the  past  few  nights,  a  bat- 
tery of  artillery  was  placed  close  to  this  infantry  company.  The 
infantry  believed  that  the  firing  of  this  battery  would  draw 
retaliating  fire.  They  requested  the  battery  to  move,  and 
when  they  refused,  a  free-for-all  fight  was  started.  The  com- 
pany, in  its  entirety,  was  sentenced  to  extra  duty  in  the  front 
line.  .  .  . 

Prisoner  claims  that  he  repeatedly  sent  up  flares,  calling 
for  barrage.  Artillery  did  not  respond  until  after  the  Ameri- 
cans had  taken  the  position.  The  wire  entanglements  had  not 
been  touched  by  a  shell.  He  claims  that  the  position  was  of 
such  strength  that  if  the  artillery  had  responded  and  his  men 
put  up  any  kind  of  resistance,  it  would  have  been  physically 
impossible  to  penetrate  the  line.  .  .  . 

The  news  had  spread  yesterday  afternoon  that  the 
armistice  was  signed  and  that  the  cessation  of  hostilities  could 
be  momentarily  expected.  They  were  instructed  to  hold  the 
line  and  maintain  order;  that  they  would  soon  be  permitted  to 
return  home.    The  morale  was  very  low. 

The  companies  of  this  regiment,  with  one  or  two  excep- 
tions, were  commanded  by  N.  C.  O.s.  There  is  a  great  scar- 
city of  officers  in  the  entire  division. ^^^ 

A  Pomeranian  soldier  named  Arndt,  belonging  to  the  10th 
Company  of  the  210th  Reserve  Infantry  Regiment,  confirmed 
the  statements  of  other  prisoners  and  declared  that  "the 
morale  of  the  men  was  very  low;  could  not  be  held  in  check 
much  longer.  Food  has  been  of  poor  quality  and  insufficient. 
Men  have  suffered  terribly  from  hunger." 

The  strategical  importance  of  the  Troyon  sector,  the 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  221 

endeavor  of  the  enemy's  officers  to  put  as  bold  a  face  as  pos- 
sible on  their  moribund  hopes,  and  the  unwitting  disclosure 
that  the  incessant  hammering  of  the  Alhes  had  exhausted  the 
last  reserves  of  their  foes  are  manifest  from  the  resume  at  the 
end  of  Annex  No.  1,  already  cited. ^^^     It  ran  as  follows: 

In  conversation  with  a  number  of  officers  in  an  informal 
way,  they  maintained  that  the  line  in  front  of  us  is  the  key  to 
Metz.  It  would  be  foolish  to  consider  the  idea  of  with' 
drawing  this  line,  as  it  is  generally  understood  that  this  is  the 
only  well  organized  position  between  the  Americans  and 
Metz. 

A  young  "Unter  offizier"  states  that  they  can  and  will 
hold  this  line  unless  the  spirit  manifested  by  the  troops  in  the 
past  four  years  is  broken,  a  thing  which  he  says  is  impossible. 

There  is  no  intimation  from  any  of  the  prisoners  that  this 
line  is  to  be  sacrificed  or  that  there  are  any  reserves  available. 

Allusion  has  been  made  to  the  relief  of  the  130th  In- 
fantry by  the  129th  Infantry  during  the  night  of  November 
10-11  and  its  completion  about  4:30  A.M.  on  the  latter 
date.^^^  The  Division  Commander  had  directed  an  attack  to 
be  made  at  5  a.m.  by  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  followed  by  a 
similar  operation  by  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  at  5  :45  A.M.^^^ 
To  the  former  had  been  allotted  the  task  of  seizing  and  hold- 
ing Riaville,  Pintheville,  Maizeray,  and  Harville;  to  the  latter 
this  same  mission  was  intrusted  in  respect  to  the  northeastern 
edge  of  the  Bois  d'Harville,  the  little  Bois  la  Dame,  and  Jon- 
ville.  The  joint  operation  was  indeed  a  staggering  undertak- 
ing in  that  it  entailed  combined  attacks  along  a  frontage  of 
eleven  and  a  half  kilometers — approximately  7.2  miles — 
against  five  powerfully  fortified  towns  and  a  formidable  wood. 
The  whole,  constituting  the  enemy's  principal  system  of  de- 
fense in  the  Troyon  sector  and  forming  part  of  the  Hinden- 
burg  line,  had  remained  intact  throughout  four  years  of  war 
except  in  so  far  as  the  capture  of  Marcheville  and  the  southern 
portion  of  the  Bois  d'Harville  on  November  10  had  affected 


222  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

it,^^^  To  the  Germans  the  loss  of  this  line  was  synonymous 
with  the  fall  of  Metz  and  therefore  every  effort  was  put  forth 
to  hold  it  until  the  last  extremity. 

At  5  A.M.  on  Monday,  November  11,  1918,  the  attack  of 
the  65th  Brigade  was  launched  in  a  dense  fog  and  without  any 
preliminary  artillery  preparation,  although  it  was  protected 
by  fire  against  enemy  sensitive  and  strong  points  by  the  divi- 
sional batteries  and  by  a  barrage  from  all  the  machine-gun 
units  belonging  to  the  brigade.  Supported  by  two  companies 
of  the  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  the  129th  Infantry 
constituted  the  attacking  force,  its  two  battalions  in  the  first 
line  covering  the  entire  brigade  front^^^  which  extended  more 
than  three  and  one-half  miles.  This  regiment  was  formed  in 
two  columns,  of  which  the  left  column — composed  of  the  2nd 
Battalion,  Company  A,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  a 
platoon  of  Company  D  of  the  108th  Engineers,  one  section  of 
light  trench  mortars,  and  a  section  of  37-millimeter  guns — was 
given  Pintheville  as  its  first  objective. ^^-  The  right  column — 
comprising  the  3rd  Battalion,  Company  B,  123rd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  and  other  elements  identical  with  those  of  the 
left  column — was  directed  against  Marcheville  and  St. 
Hilaire,  supported  by  the  1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun 
Company  of  the  129th.^^^  Additional  support  was  given  to 
these  columns  by  the  1st  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Com- 
pany of  the  130th  Infantry  moving  in  the  direction  of  Pinthe- 
ville and  the  Chateau  d'Aulnois  on  the  left,^^^  by  the  3rd  Bat- 
talion of  the  same  regiment  and  Company  D,  123rd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  in  the  centre  ;^^^  and  by  the  2nd  Battalion  and 
part  of  the  Headquarters  Company  of  the  130th  Infantry, 
Company  C,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  and  Company  F, 
108th  Engineers,  on  the  extreme  right  moving  from  Herbeu- 
ville  through  Wadonville  against  St.  Hilaire. ^^^ 

The  heavy  fog,  the  terrain  inundated  by  the  enemy,  stub- 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  223 

born  resistance  from  a  multitude  of  enemy  machine-gun  nests, 
and  heavy  fire  from  the  hostile  artillery  militated  against  a 
rapid  advance. ^^^  Indeed  so  great  were  the  difficulties  en- 
countered that  it  was  not  until  after  8  :20  A.M.  that  the  leading 
troops  reached  the  line  Marcheville — St.  Hilaire^^^  and  not 
until  considerably  after  nine  o'clock  that  the  3rd  Battalion  of 
the  129th  Infantry  was  able  to  force  its  way  into  Marche- 
ville.^*'' At  that  hour,  however,  the  65th  Brigade  had 
achieved  a  notable  success.  The  Chateau  d'Aulnois,  Riaville, 
Marcheville,  and  St.  Hilaire^""'"  were  in  its  possession  and  all 
the  terrain  intervening  between  these  towns  and  the  Verdun- 
Metz  road  on  a  frontage  of  six  kilometers  was  completely 
under  its  control. ^^^ 

Meanwhile  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  had  likewise  deliv- 
ered an  attack.  As  has  been  noted.  General  Wolf's  purpose, 
as  expressed  in  his  orders  of  November  10,  was  to  take  all 
possible  advantage  of  the  ground  gained  in  the  Bois  d'Har- 
ville.^^^  The  general  plan  was  a  preliminary  attack  against 
Butgneville  at  5 :45  A.M.,  followed  at  eight  o'clock  by  an 
advance  through  the  Bois  d'Harville  by  the  3rd  Battalion  of 
the  131st  Infantry.  The  1st  Battalion  of  the  132nd  was  to 
"leap-frog"  at  the  northern  edge  of  this  wood,  pivot  on  its 
right,  capture  the  little  Bois  la  Dame  and,  advancing  Inside 
the  enemy's  network  of  wire,  attack  JonvIUe  from  the  rear, 
while  a  direct  holding  attack  was  to  be  delivered  against  that 
town  from  the  west  by  the  3rd  Battalion  of  the  132nd  In- 
fantry.^^^  The  circumstances  which  attended  the  final  disposi- 
tions for  these  attacks  are  thus  narrated  by  Colonel  San- 
born i^^* 

Shortly  after  4  o'clock  the  morning  of  Nov.  11th  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  131st  Infantry  established  his 
forward  battle  station  at  Woel,  where  the  Commanding  Gen- 
eral, 66th  Brigade,  arrived  shortly  after. ^^^     Steps  were  at 


224  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

once  taken  to  concentrate  the  131st  Infantry  (less  Co.  F  and 
four  machine  guns  at  St.  Hilaire)  and  Company  C  which 
furnished  the  liaison,  detailed  to  the  110th  Infantry  and  other 
details  for  bringing  up  ammunition,  etc.  The  131st  Infantry 
Machine  Gun  Co.  reported  at  Woel  during  the  night  [of] 
November  10— 11th.  Sent  two  guns  to  relieve  the  detach- 
ment of  the  124th  M.  G.  Bn.  on  duty  with  the  Liaison  group, 
on  the  left  of  the  110th  Infantry,  remainder  of  the  company 
were  sent  to  Doncourt.^^^  No  changes  were  made  in  the  gen- 
eral plan  of  attack  except  to  place  progressive  artillery  fire  on 
the  Bois  de  Harville,  northeast  of,  and  along,  the  Jonville- 
Harville  Road,  gradually  moving  forward  and  resting  on  the 
northeast  edge  of  the  woods  in  support  of  the  advance,  also 
continued  fire  along  the  northwest  edge  of  the  same  wood. 

The  initial  attack  of  the  66th  Brigade  was  to  be  deliv- 
ered against  Butgneville  at  5  :45  A.M.  by  the  companies  of  the 
131st  and  132nd  Infantry  and  the  two  platoons  of  Company 
C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  under  Captain  Wiggles- 
worth,  then  occupying  St.  Hilaire.  This  gallant  but  fruitless 
operation  is  thus  described  by  the  commanding  officer  of  the 
131st  Infantry  :^^'^ 

Company  F,  1st  Lieut.  Carrol  D.  Schnepp  commanding, 
with  attached  machine  guns  (2nd  platoon  Co.  H,  132nd  Inf. 
in  reserve)  left  St.  Milaire  at  5:20  A.M.  the  11th,  advancing 
northeast  toward  Butgneville.  After  crossing  the  Rau  de 
Moutru  the  scouts  drew  enemy  fire,  the  first  wave  closed  on 
the  scout  line  and  advanced.  A  number  of  flares  were  sent  up 
by  the  enemy  and  machine  gun  fire  increased.  A  trench  mortar 
also  opened  fire  on  the  advancing  troops.  Machine  guns  were 
placed  on  the  flanks  and  under  their  fire  an  advance  was  made 
until  wire  entanglements  in  front  of  the  town  which  were  still 
intact  were  reached.  Right  of  the  advance  was  held  up 
by  machine  gun  fire.  As  the  left  advanced  it  was  also  met  by 
machine  gun  fire.  Heavy  rifle  and  machine  gun  fire  came  from 
the  town.  The  Company  Commander  stated  he  was  receiving 
no  artillery  support.  The  shell  fire  which  was  supposed  to  be 
put  on  the  town  fell  short  and  did  little  if  any  damage.  The 
machine  gun  ofllicer  states  that  the  barrage  never  fell  and  that 
the  enemy  outnumbered  them.    Six  machine  gun  men  were  five 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  225 

wounded. ^^^  Infantry  casualties,  one  officer  wounded,  three 
other  ranks  killed,  twenty  wounded. ^^^  Troops  returned  to 
St.  Hilaire  at  9  A.M. 

Of  the  other  units  of  the  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
Companies  A  and  B  retained  their  positions  of  the  preceding 
night  in  the  Bois  de  Warville  and  prepared  for  a  resumption 
of  the  attack  ;^*^^  two  platoons  of  Company  C  got  as  far  as 
Doncourt,^^^  from  which  Company  D,  after  being  held  up 
momentarily  by  artillery  fire,  proceeded  to  the  Bois  des 
Hautes  Epines,  where  they  went  into  position  at  8  A.M.^*'^  The 
122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  retained  west  of  the  Meuse 
at  Camp  Thillombois  Sud  as  part  of  the  divisional  reserve. ^^^ 

The  principal  attack  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  which 
was  scheduled  to  take  place  in  the  Bois  d'Harville  and  against 
Jonville  at  8  A.M.,  was  launched  exactly  at  the  "H"  hour  and, 
in  spite  of  tremendous  enemy  artillery  and  machine-gun  fire 
from  the  front  and  both  flanks,  the  troops  were  making  sub- 
stantial progress  which  gave  every  promise  of  success  in  break- 
ing through  the  Hindenburg  line,  the  last  fortified  obstacle 
between  them  and  Metz,  when  it  was  suddenly  arrested  by  a 
most  extraordinary  event. 

Meanwhile,  at  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  at  Troyon- 
sur-Meuse,  the  radio  station  picked  up  at  5  :45  that  morning 
the  following  wireless  message  in  French,  sent  from  the  Allied 
Grand  Headquarters  at  Guise  : 

Marshal  Foch 
to  the  Commanders-in-Chief. 
Hostihties  will  be  stopped  on  the  entire  front  beginning 
the  eleventh  November  eleven  hours  (French  time). 

Until  further  order  the  Allied  troops  will  not  go  beyond 
the  line  attained  on  that  date  and  at  that  hour. 

(Signed)      Marshal  FocH.^*'^ 
At  6  :45  A.M.  the  same  message  was  received  in  English 

(15) 


226  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

and  7 :05  A.M.  the  following   radio    message   in    French   was 

picked  up : 

No.  18  W  89.  German  Plenipotentiaries  to  the  German 
High  Command  to  be  communicated  to  all  the  authorities 
interested. 

Radio  3,084  and  ggg  2  No.  1 1,386  received. 

Armistice  has  been  signed  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning 
"French  time."  It  enters  into  effect  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
morning  (French  time).  Delay  of  evacuation  prolonged 
twenty-four  hours  for  the  left  bank  of  the  Rhine  in  addition 
to  the  five  days  therefore  thirty-one  days  in  total.  Modifica- 
tions of  the  text  compared  with  the  one  brought  by  Helldorf 
will  be  transmitted  by  radio. 

(Signed)      Erzberger  No.  9.^^^ 

At  7:50  A.M.  a  telephone  message  from  Lieutenant-Col- 
onel Kastler,  chief  of  staff  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  at  St. 
Mihiel,  was  taken  by  Captain  Roger  Bader,  one  of  the  French 
liaison  officers,  to  whom  the  former  read  a  telegram  just  re- 
ceived by  the  Corps  Commander  from  the  general  command- 
ing the  Second  American  Army,  which  read  thus : 

The  Armistice  is  signed  and  becomes  effective  the  11th 
November  at  1 1  o'clock. 

At  that  hour  or  before,  hostilities  and  the  advance  are  to 
cease.  Hold  the  line  attained  and  give  exact  information  as 
to  the  line  attained  at  that  hour.  No  communication  will  take 
place  with  the  enemy.    Acknowledge  receipt. 

By  command  of  General  Bullard: 

Heijjtzelman, 
Chief  of  Staff. 

At  10:25  A.M.  the  exact  text  of  this  telegram  in  French 
was  received  in  an  urgent  "Service  Note"  from  the  Chief  of 
Staff  of  the  17th  Army  Corps^^*'  by  whom  it  was  "notified  for 
execution,"  and,  in  the  meantime,  exactly  an  hour  earlier, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Simpson,  G-3  of  the  33rd  Division,  was 
handed  a  telegram  from  the  Second  Army  thus  worded : 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  227 

Patterson  7, 

Your  map  received.  As  soon  as  possible  telephone  to 
G-3,  Second  Army,  the  location  at  the  time  the  front  line 
troops  have  ceased  to  advance.  If  this  can  be  furnished  before 
1 1 :00  o'clock  do  it;  otherwise  before  1 :00  o'clock. 

G-3,  Second  Army.^^^ 

Directly  upon  the  receipt  of  the  telephone  message  from 
the  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  at  7;50  A.M.,  this 
important  information  was  transmitted  by  telephone  and 
otherwise  to  the  brigade  commanders,  supplemented  by  spe- 
cific orders  to  arrest  their  advance  immediately  and  to  cease 
all  firing  absolutely,  and  two  hours  later  the  final  instructions 
were  embodied  in  this  form: 

G— 3  Secret 

Field  Order  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  A.  E,  F., 

No.  36.  11th  November,  1918 

Maps:       Vigneulles     "A"   and  "B",    1:20,000 
Metz,  S.  W.  &  S.  E.  1 :50,000 

CoMMERCY,  N.  W.  &  N.  E.      1 :50,00q 

1.  (a)      The  Armistice  has  been   signed   and  will  become 

effective  November  11,  1918,  at  11 :00  a.m. 
(b)      All  hostilities  will  cease  at    once    and    no    farther 
advance  will  be  made.  All  ground  now  occupied  will 
be  held. 

2.  No  communication  will  take  place  with  the  enemy. 

3.  (a)      The   line   reached  will  be   organized   for   defense. 

The  boundary  between  brigade  sub-sectors  remains 
unchanged.  Troops  in  each  sub-sector  will  be  dis- 
tributed in  depth, 
(b)  Each  Brigade  will  at  once  make  all  arrangements 
to  advance  in  appropriate  formation  with  Advance 
Guards,  in  case  orders  are  received  to  move  for- 
ward to  occupy  surrendered  territory.  In  such  case 
troops  in  the  Outpost  Zone  will  constitute  the  Ad- 
vance Guard. 

4.  The  Comdg.  General,  65th  and  66th  Inf.  Brigades  will 
each  detail  two  officers  at  once  to  make  a  sketch,  scale 
1 :20,000,  showing  the  exact  line  reached  by  our  troops. 


228  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

This  sketch  must  be  at  Division  Hdqrs.  by  12:00  Noon, 
November  11,  1918.     (today). 

Bell 
Major  General. ^^^ 

The  information  in  respect  to  the  signing  of  the  armis- 
tice and  the  Division  Commander's  orders  relative  to  the 
cessation  of  hostilities  reached  General  King  at  his  advanced 
P.  C.  on  the  hill  at  Combres  at  8  :21  A.M.  and  the  action  which 
was  immediately  taken  is  thus  told  in  the  Chronological  Rec- 
ord of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade: 

3rd  Bn.,  130th  Inf.,  had  reached  the  village  of  St.  Hilaire 
at  8:21  A.M.,  when  orders  were  received  that  armistice  with 
the  enemy  had  been  signed,  firing  to  cease  and  troops  to 
remain  in  positions  occupied  at  that  time. 

Regimental  P.  C.  129th  Infantry,  received  orders  at 
9  A.M.,  that  armistice  had  been  signed  and  to  discontinue  hos- 
tilities at  once.  Runners  were  immediately  dispatched  to  the 
various  units,  which  were  steadily  advancing  through  inun- 
dated land  and  overcoming  all  enemy  strong  points. ^^^  Recall 
was  sounded  at  9  :45  A.M.,  and  all  units  remained  in  conquered 
positions.  The  enemy  continued  firing  until  1 1 :00  A.M.,  when 
all  units,  except  one  platoon  per  battalion,  retired  to  locations 
of  Battalion  Headquarters. 

The  circumstances  which  attended  the  receipt  of  the  news 
concerning  the  signing  of  the  armistice  and  the  cessation  of 
hostilities  are  thus  narrated  by  Colonel  Sanborn: 

While  the  troops  were  being  assembled  in  the  Bois  de 
Warville,  at  8:30  A.M.  telephone  notice  was  received  that  the 
armistice  had  been  signed,  that  all  firing  on  our  part  was  to 
cease  at  once,  except  to  repel  counter  attacks,  which  informa- 
tion was  conveyed  to  troops  in  position  and  reinforcing  bat- 
talions successively  as  they  arrived. ^^^  The  enemy  gradually 
ceased  fire  from  the  trenches  and  machine  gun  positions, ^'^^  but 
it  was  not  until  1 1  o'clock  sharp  that  a  complete  cessation  was 
noticed.  One  machine  gunner  ran  out  Into  a  position  and  shot 
at  everybody  in  sight  up  to  the  last  moment. ^'''^  Artillery  fire 
with  shrapnel  also  did  not  cease  until  a  few  minutes  after 
eleven. 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  229 

A  capital  demonstration  of  the  discipline  in  the  33rd 
Division  was  afforded  by  the  fact  that,  after  receipt  of  the 
orders  to  cease  firing,  literally  not  one  shot  left  the  ranks, 
some  of  which  had  to  endure  heavy  shelling  and  machine-gun 
and  rifle  fire  for  more  than  an  hour  and  a  half  without  the 
satisfaction  of  replying  for  the  last  time.  Under  this  fire  a 
number  of  casualties  occurred,  but  the  wise  precaution  of  the 
Division  Commander  forestalled  any  complaints  such  as  were 
raised  against  certain  troops  on  other  parts  of  the  Allied 
front.^''^^  The  closing  scene  of  this  great  drama  was  not 
devoid  of  pathos,  so  far  as  the  33rd  Division  was  concerned. 
When  the  curtain  descended  at  eleven  o'clock  that  fateful 
Monday  morning,  20  of  its  men  lay  dead  on  this  its  last  battle- 
field, 73  men  were  wounded,  6  officers  and  45  men  had  been 
gassed,  one  officer  had  been  captured,  and  28  men  were  miss- 
ing.i^'* 

The  sequel  is  thus  graphically  described  by  Captain 
Dodd,  commanding  Company  D  of  the  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion  :i^5 

One  minute  after  the  hour  of  eleven  A.M.,  firing  of  any 
consolidated  nature  ceased  on  the  German  side  and  from  then 
on,  until  the  hour  of  twelve  noon,  an  occasional  stray  artillery 
explosion  was  heard  in  the  distance  to  right  and  left.  About 
the  hour  of  one  P.M.  firing  of  any  nature  had  ceased  and  we 
realized  that,  this  time,  the  armistice  was  really  and  truly  a 
fact. 

Upon  the  cessation  of  the  previously-mentioned  machine 
gun  fire  upon  our  positions  and  just  about  two  minutes  after 
eleven  A.M.,  a  body  of  German  soldiers,  numbering  somewhere 
in  the  neighborhood  of  sixty  to  one  hundred  men,  ranking  as 
non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  came  out  of  the 
trenches  and  positions  they  occupied  directly  in  front  of  our 
line,  and  came  across  No-Man's  Land  towards  our  positions, 
cheering  in  rather  a  ragged  manner  and  at  the  same  time 
uttering  cries  of  "America."  Some  of  them  cried  out  in 
French  "La  guerre  est  finie."     They  came  to  the  advanced 


230  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

part  of  our  lines  and  upon  finding  that  we  would  not  hold 
parley  with  them,  and  instead  ordered  them  back  where  they 
came  from,  as  per  our  instructions  from  Pancake  [code  word 
for  commanding  officer,  132nd  Infantry]  to  Parish  [code 
word  for  commanding  officer,  1st  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry] 
they  retired  to  where  they  came  from.  But  for  a  period  cov- 
ering perhaps  an  hour  afterwards,  prolonged  and  heavy 
cheering  could  be  heard  from  the  German  positions  directly 
to  our  front.  During  the  remainder  of  the  time  we  were  in 
occupation  of  these  positions,  stray  bodies  of  German 
soldiers,  numbering  from  two  to  three  men,  came  to  our  rear 
positions  and  offered  us  tobacco,  cigarettes  and  cigars.  None 
of  them  were  accepted  by  us.  They  were  in  all  cases  ordered 
back  to  their  own  lines  and  were  requested  by  Parish  [i.  e., 
the  commanding  officer,  1st  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry]  to 
inform  their  officers  that  we  were  keeping,  sacredly,  our  terms 
of  the  armistice  and  that  we  expected  them  to  keep  theirs,  and 
that  any  further  infiltration  on  their  part  would  cause  them 
to  be  taken  prisoner.  This  action  of  Parish  had  the  desired 
effect. 

During  the  course  of  that  afternoon  and  next  morning 
occurred  a  general  readjustment  of  the  positions  of  the  33rd 
Division^"^^  with  the  twofold  object  of  making  the  troops  as 
comfortable  as  possible  after  their  long  tour  of  duty  in  the 
trenches  in  the  Verdun  and  Troyon  sectors^'^^  and  of  holding 
them  in  readiness  for  an  instant  advance  into  the  conquered 
territory  in  the  event  that  such  a  movement  were  ordered. ^"^^ 

On  the  afternoon  of  that  momentous  Monday,  the  fol- 
lowing communication  was  published  to  the  command : 

Headquarters  33  rd  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces.  HSH/fbo 
France,  11th  November,  1918. 
General  Orders: 
No.  144. 

The  Armistice  has  been  signed  and  hostilities  have  ceased, 
at  least  for  the  present.  The  Division  Commander  takes  this 
opportunity  of  expressing  his  appreciation  and  pride  to  all 
ranks  for  their  efficient  and  effective  work. 

Shortly  after  leaving  New  York  in  May,  1918,  the  Divi- 


y 


** 


TROYON-SUR-MEUSE  231 

sion  took  station  with  the  British  in  the  defense  of  Amiens.  On 
the  morning  of  July  4th,  1918,  part  of  it  attacked,  and  Ameri- 
cans for  the  first  time  in  history  were  associated  on  the  bat- 
tlefield with  Australians,  winning  the  victory  of  Hamel — 
described  by  the  Commanding  General  of  the  Australian 
Corps  as  "an  historic  event  of  such  significance  that  it  will  live 
forever  in  the  annals  of  our  respective  nations."  The  dash 
and  gallantry  displayed  on  this  occasion  was  recognized  by  the 
British  Commander-in-Chief  and  rewarded  by  the  King.  The 
engagement  had  far  reaching  results.  On  the  9th  of  August 
at  Gressaire  Wood  and  Chipilly  the  Division  materially 
assisted  the  beginning  of  what  developed  into  the  final  British 
advance  and  were  again  honored  by  the  British  nation.  On 
September  26th  and  October  9th  as  part  of  the  First  Ameri- 
can Army,  it  carried  all  its  objectives  in  the  Verdun  Sector 
and  held  the  territory  won  on  both  sides  of  the  Meuse.  It 
has  been  awarded  decorations  by  our  Government  and  our 
former  French  Corps  Commander  has  asked  that  recommen- 
dations be  submitted  for  the  Croix  de  Guerre.  Such  is  the 
record  of  this  Division. 

The  Commanding  General  congratulates  officers  and 
men,  soldiers  of  the  Great  War,  on  these  things  done  by  them 
in  the  service  of  their  country. 

This  order  will  be  read  to  the  troops  at  the  first  forma- 
tion after  receipt  by  the  Commanding  Officer  of  each  unit. 

By  Command  of  Major  General  Bell: 
William  K.  Naylor, 
Brigadier  General,  General  Staff. 
Chief  of  Staff. 
Official: 

H.  S.  Hooker, 
Major,  A.  G., 
Act.  Div.  Adjutant. 

During  the  brief  period  more  than  a  month  later  when 
the  33rd  Division  formed  part  of  the  Army  of  Occupation  and 
was  on  the  march  Into  Germany,  Its  officers  and  men  were 
gratified  that  to  the  tributes  received  from  British  and  French 
commanders  under  whom  they  had  served  on  the  Somme  and 


232  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  Meuse^^''  had  been  added  the  following,  which  was  thus 
officially  announced  to  them: 

Headquarters  33rd  Division, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces.     FLH — grj 
Luxembourg,  16th  December,  1918. 
General  Orders  : 
No.  150 

1.  The  following  letter  is  published  to  the  Division  in 
recognition  of  its  work  in  the  Troyon  Sector : 

"Headquarters  Second  Army 

American  E.  F., 
France,  12  December,  1918. 
From:        Commanding  General,  Second  Army. 
To:  Commanding  General,  33rd  Division,  American 

E.  F. 
Subject:     Activity  of  the  33rd  Division  prior  to  the  Armis- 
tice. 

1.  Upon  the  transfer  of  the  33rd  Division,  from  the 
Second  to  the  Third  American  Army,  I  desire  to  express  to 
you  my  gratification  at  the  vigorous  and  successful  activities  of 
your  division  during  the  period  of  active  operations  preceding 
the  Armistice. 

2.  The  33rd  Division,  although  occupying  a  broad 
front,  was  called  upon  to  advance  toward  Conflans,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  performance  of  this  mission  at  the  time  hos- 
tilities ceased. 

3.  On  November  6  to  7,  when  accurate  information  of 
the  enemy's  intentions  was  greatly  desired,  raiding  parties 
from  your  Division  penetrated  to  Chateau  d'AulnoIs  and  cap- 
tured 21  prisoners,  Including  one  officer.  On  November  7  to 
8,  your  reconnaissance  patrols  entered  Bols  d'HarvIlle  and  St. 
Hilaire  and  brought  back  8  prisoners.  On  November  9  and 
10,  you  drove  the  enemy  from  the  towns  of  St.  Hilaire  and 
Marchevllle  and,  at  the  time  of  cessation  of  Hostilities,  your 
division  had  occupied  these  towns,  as  well  as  the  towns  of 
Butgneville  and  RIaville. 

4.  The  conduct  of  the  33rd  Division  exemplified  its 
ability  to  execute  promptly  and  thoroughly  the  tasks  which 
were  given  to   it.    There  was   shown,    on   the   part    of   both 


TROYON-S  UR-ME  USE  233 

officers  and  men,   an  efficiency  and  fighting  spirit  which  are 
highly  commendable. 

(Signed)      R.  L.  Bullard, 

Lieutenant  General,  U.  S.  A," 
II.     This  order  will  be  read  to  the  troops  at  the  first 
formation  after  receipt  by  the  Commanding  Officers  of  each 
unit. 

By  Command  of  Major  General  Bell: 
William  H.  Simpson, 
Official:  Lieut.  Colonel,  General  Staff, 

Frederic  L.  Huidekoper,  Chief  of  Staff. 

Lieut.  Colonel,  A.  G., 
Division  Adjutant. 

Later  in  the  same  month  the  33rd  was  included,  together 
with  twenty-one;  other  combatant  divisions,  in  the  thanks  con- 
veyed to  them  by  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  American 
Expeditionary  Forces  in  the  following  communication : 

(Corrected  Copy) 
(Destroy  all  previous  copies.) 

(For  Official  Circulation  Only.)  (G.  O.  232.) 

G.  H.  Q. 
American  Expeditionary  Forces, 
General  Orders) 

No.  232.      )  France,  Dec.  19,  1918. 

It  is  with  a  sense  of  gratitude  for  its  splendid  accomplish- 
ment, which  will  live  through  all  history,  that  I  record  in  Gen- 
eral Orders  a  tribute  to  the  victory  of  the  First  Army  in  the 
Meuse-Argonne  battle. 

Tested  and  strengthened  by  the  reduction  of  the  St. 
Mihiel  salient,  for  more  than  six  weeks  you  battered  against 
the  pivot  of  the  enemy  line  on  the  western  front.  It  was  a 
position  of  imposing  natural  strength,  stretching  on  both  sides 
of  the  Meuse  River  from  the  bitterly  contested  hills  of  Verdun 
to  the  almost  impenetrable  forest  of  the  Argonne;  a  position, 
moreover,  fortified  by  four  years  of  labor  designed  to  render 
it  impregnable;  a  position  held  with  the  fullest  resources  of 
the  enemy.  That  position  you  broke  utterly,  and  thereby 
hastened  the  collapse  of  the  enemy's  military  power. 


234  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Soldiers  of  all  of  the  divisions  engaged  under  the  First, 
Third  and  Fifth  American  Corps — the  1st,  2nd,  3rd,  4th,  5th, 
26th,  28th,  29th,  32nd,  33rd,  35th,  37th,  42nd,  77th,  78th, 
79th,  80th,  81st,  82nd,  89th,  90th  and  91st  American 
divisions,  the  18th  and  26th  French  divisions,  and  the  10th 
and  15th  French  Colonial  divisions — you  will  be  long  remem- 
bered for  the  stubborn  persistence  of  your  progress,  your 
storming  of  obstinately  defended  machine  gun  nests,  your 
penetration,  yard  by  yard,  of  woods  and  ravines,  your  heroic 
resistance  in  the  face  of  counter-attacks  supported  by  powerful 
artillery  fire.  For  more  than  a  month,  from  the  initial  attack 
of  September  26th,  you  fought  your  way  slowly  through  the 
Argonne,  through  the  woods  and  over  hills  west  of  the  Meuse; 
you  slowly  enlarged  your  hold  on  the  Cotes  de  Meuse  to  the 
east,  and  then,  on  the  1st  of  November,  your  attack  forced 
the  enemy  into  flight.  Pressing  his  retreat,  you  cleared 
the  entire  left  bank  of  the  Meuse  south  of  Sedan,  and  then 
stormed  the  heights  on  the  right  bank  and  drove  him  into  the 
plain  beyond. 

Soldiers  of  all  army  and  corps  troops  engaged — to  you 
no  less  credit  is  due;  your  steadfast  adherence  to  duty  and 
your  dogged  determination  in  the  face  of  all  obstacles  made 
possible  the  heroic  deeds  cited  above. 

The  achievement  of  the  First  Army  which  is  scarcely  to 
be  equalled  in  American  history,  must  remain  a  source  of 
proud  satisfaction  to  the  troops  who  participated  in  the  last 
campaign  of  the  war.  The  American  people  will  remember  it 
as  the  realization  of  the  hitherto  potential  strength  of  the 
American  contribution  toward  the  cause  to  which  they  had 
sworn  allegiance.  There  can  be  no  greater  reward  for  a  sol- 
dier or  for  a  soldier's  memory. 

This  order  will  be  read  to  all  organizations  at  the  first 
assembly  formation  after  its  receipt. 

John  J.  Pershing, 
Official:  General,   Commander  in  Chief, 

Robert  C.  Davis,         American  Expeditionary  Forces. 
Adjutant  General. 


IX.     OPERATIONS  OF  THE   58TH    FIELD  ARTII^ 
LERY  BRIGADE 

Meanwhile,  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  under  the 
command  of  Brigadier  General  Henry  D.  Todd,  Jr.,^  had  had 
decidedly  varied  experiences.  Its  departure  from  Camp  Logan 
occurred  during  the  second  week  of  May,  1918,  following 
that  of  the  rest  of  the  33rd  Division,  from  which  it  was  sepa- 
rated for  eight  months.  The  first  stage  of  its  movement 
terminated  at  Camp  Merritt,  Montclair,  New  Jersey,  where 
it  remained  until  the  beginning  of  the  fourth  week  in  May. 
On  the  twenty-sixth  of  that  month  it  sailed  from  Hoboken 
in  a  convoy  comprising  four  transports,  the  Kashmir,  the 
Scotian,  the  Melita,  and  the  City  of  Poona,  which  arrived  at 
Liverpool  on  June  8.  As  has  been  seen,-  General  Todd  and 
his  brigade  headquarters  followed  in  the  Mauretania,  reach- 
ing Liverpool  on  June  11.  Upon  its  arrival  in  England,  this 
brigade  proceeded  to  Winchester  and,  after  a  brief  stay, 
moved  to  Southampton,  where  it  embarked  and  crossed  the 
Channel  to  Havre,  arriving  on  June  13.  At  Havre  it 
entrained  and  proceeded  to  the  artillery  training  areas  of 
Valdahon  and  Ornans,  which  are  situated  in  the  eastern  part 
of  France  about  ten  miles  south  of  the  fortress  of  Besancon. 
Two  months  were  spent  in  training  of  the  most  intensive  sort 
under  French  instructors,  with  the  result  that  the  58th  Field 
Artillery  Brigade  was  brought  to  a  high  state  of  theoretical 
and  practical  efficiency,  as  its  subsequent  career  demonstrated. 
On  August  20,  1918,  it  started  for  the  Toul  sector,  where  it 
was  attached  to  the  89th  Division  (Major  General  Winn). 
Its  future  activities  until  the  armistice  are  recounted  in  the 

235 


236  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

following  narrative,  which  was  specially  prepared  for  this 
history  by  First  Lieutenant  Leon  Dessez,  operations  officer  of 
the  brigade. 

Between  the  formal  training  of  the  5 8th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade  at  Valdahon  and  its  first  real  battle,  the  reduction  of 
the  St.  Mihiel  salient,  a  period  of  three  weeks  was  spent  in 
learning  the  real  business  of  war  in  the  first  sector  held  by 
American  troops — a  sector  northwest  of  Toul  extending  from 
Beaumont  to  Bouconville.  The  non-motorized  organizations 
entrained  at  Valdahon  and  Besangon  on  August  21  and  22 
and  detrained  at  Foug  and  Pagny-sur-Meuse  on  August  24 
and  25.  The  motorized  organizations  traveled  overland  to 
the  same  towns.  From  these  towns  the  entire  brigade 
marched  into  the  Foret  de  la  Reine,  where  it  was  to  remain 
hidden  until  the  big  attack  of  September  12.  The  brigade 
P.  C.  was  established  in  Boucq.  In  this  sector  the  brigade  be- 
came well  used  to  gas  attacks,  to  the  hardships  of  trafiic  jams 
on  the  roads  during  the  night,  when  all  the  motor-  as  well  as 
the  horse-drawn  vehicles  traveled  without  showing  lights  and 
without  sounding  klaxons,  and  learned  so  to  work  in  the  day- 
time that  German  aerial  observers  could  find  nothing  of  value 
for  the  German  information  service  and  no  targets  for  Ger- 
man machine-gun  fire.  On  August  26,  supporting  the  89th 
Division,  in  the  IVth  American  Army  Corps,  the  1st  Battalion 
of  the  122nd  Field  Artillery — Major  Frank  R.  Schwengel 
commanding — took  over  the  defense  of  the  sector  from  a 
battalion  of  the  321st  Field  Artillery.  Battery  C  took  posi- 
tion south  of  Rambucourt  (maps  St.  MihIel-c-Mort  Mare, 
scale  1/20,000),  while  Battery  B  and  Battery  A  went  into 
position  in  Le  Joli  Bois,  southeast  of  Raulecourt.  Cannoneers 
from  Battery  B,  under  command  of  First  Lieutenant  Oscar  N. 
Schjerven  took  over  one  platoon  of  90-millimeter  guns,  and  a 
like  group  of  men  from  Battery  A,  under  command  of  First 


BRIGADIER   GEXERAL    HEXRV  D.    TODD,    JR. 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  237 

Lieutenant  John  W.  McCarthy,  took  over  another  platoon  of 
90-millimeter  guns,  both  gun  positions  being  in  the  northern 
end  of  the  Foret  de  la  Reine,  southeast  of  Rambucourt.  On 
September  3,  the  two  platoons  joined  at  the  Schjerven  posi- 
tion. The  guns  were  fired  for  registration  and,  during  several 
days  prior  to  the  infantry  assault,  they  dealt  harassing  fire  on 
roads  and  trenches  and  also  shelled  the  crossroads  at  Lahay- 
ville.  Battery  C — Captain  Robert  E.  Myhrman,  command- 
ing— made  an  adjustment  of  fire  from  Observation  Post  No. 
21  in  Rambucourt.  The  battery  delivered  counteroffensive 
preparation  fire  and  harassing  fire  daily  on  roads  and  trench 
crossings,  made  an  adjustment  of  fire  with  aeroplane  observa- 
tion on  the  crossroads  in  Richecourt,  and  at  all  other  times 
was  ready  to  shield  our  infantry  with  a  defensive  barrage.  In 
delivering  this  fire,  all  the  gun  squads  of  the  battalion  served 
at  the  pieces.  On  September  4  a  few  positions  of  the  122nd 
and  123rd  Field  Artillery  were  heavily  shelled  from  hour 
17  :30  to  hour  19  :30  and  two  men  of  the  123rd  Field  Artillery 
were  killed.  All  the  regiments  of  the  brigade  were  quietly 
digging  gun  pits  under  the  camouflage  in  preparation  for  the 
attack  and,  aided  by  the  108th  Ammunition  Train,  were  haul- 
ing ammunition  to  the  new  positions. 

When  the  Allied  High  Command  determined  to  reduce 
the  German  salient  at  St.  Mihiel,  it  chose  for  that  task  the 
Vth  American  Army  Corps,  the  2nd  French  Colonial  Army 
Corps,  the  IVth  American  Army  Corps,  and  the  1st  American 
Army  Corps,  forming  the  First  American  Army.  The  Vth 
Corps  on  the  west  of  the  salient  was  to  push  forcefully  over 
the  hilly  ground  east  of  Les  Eparges,  the  IVth  Corps  on  the 
south  of  the  salient  was  to  make  a  thrust  northward  from 
Beaumont,  the  1st  Corps  was  to  swing  the  attack  on  its  hinge 
at  Pont-a-Mousson,  and  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps  was 


238  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

to  mop  up  the  heights  at  th'^  tip  of  the  saHent  and  to  have  the 
honor  of  taking  the  town  of  St.  Mihiel. 

The  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  supporting  the  1st 
Division,  was  at  the  far  left  of  the  IVth  Corps  sector.  It  was 
a  sector  In  which  an  attack  was  very  difficult.  From  the 
forest  of  Apremont  on  the  west  where  the  lines  passed  over 
the  wooded  hills  of  Le  Mont,  all  the  dominating  heights  were 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  But  the  ambition  of  the  American 
Army  increased  even  the  natural  difficulties.  It  was  desired 
not  only  to  capture  the  ground  of  the  St.  Mihiel  salient,  but  to 
capture  a  great  number  of  German  soldiers  as  well,  and  to 
accomplish  this  result  the  attack  of  the  2nd  Colonial  Army 
Corps  was  held  back  until  one  hour  after  the  two  American 
corps  on  Its  flanks  had  gone  forward,  when  it  was  to  proceed 
at  a  slower  rate  of  advance.  Thus,  not  only  were  the  enemy 
observatories  able  at  the  outset  to  see  the  American  assault, 
but  for  several  hours  they  were  to  suffer  no  threat  of  attack. 
To  blind  and  destroy  these  lines  and  thoroughly  to  defend 
our  exposed  left  flank  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  give  our  at- 
tacking infantry  thorough  and  effective  aid  required  not  only 
a  great  massing  of  guns  but  a  complicated  and  skillful  plan  of 
attack  as  well. 

The  divisional  artillery  of  the  1st  Division,  under  com- 
mand of  General  Todd,  was  made  up  of  the  58th  Field  Artil- 
lery Brigade,  the  1st  Field  Artillery  Brigade  (Colonel  Butner 
commanding),  the  76th  Regiment  Field  Artillery,  44th  Regi- 
ment Colonial  Army  Corps,  and  French  Artillery  and  was 
formed  into  five  groupings :  the  Davis  grouping,  the  Kennedy 
grouping,  the  Butner  grouping,  the  Rivers  grouping,  and  the 
Hackett  grouping.  The  Davis  grouping  consisted  of  one  bat- 
talion of  8-Inch  howitzers  (44th  Regiment  Colonial  Army 
Corps)  and  the  2nd  Battalion  of  the  123rd  Field  Artillery 
(155-mIllImeter  howitzers)  ;  the  Kennedy  grouping  consisted 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  239 

of  the  5th  Field  Artillery.  These  two  groupings  of  heavy 
guns  were  charged  with  the  demolition  of  known  strong 
points  and  of  observatories,  and  in  the  preliminary  bombard- 
ment the  155-millimeter  guns  were  intrusted  with  the  duty  of 
delivering  enfilade  fire  on  the  important  boyaiix  and  the  8-inch 
guns  were  to  deliver  fire  on  the  chief  trenches.  The  two 
groupings  of  direct  support  (the  Butner  grouping,  consisting 
of  the  6th  and  7th  Field  Artillery  and  the  Rivers  grouping, 
consisting  of  the  76th  Field  Artillery  and  122nd  Field  Artil- 
lery) were  given  the  mission  of  cutting  wire  and  firing  the 
rolling  barrage  behind  which  the  infantry  were  to  advance. 
Because  of  the  hindrances  which  were  expected  in  crossing 
the  Rupt-de-Madt  and  other  difficult  places,  and  because  of  the 
continuance  of  German  observation  from  the  western  range 
of  hills,  a  large  proportion  of  smoke  shells  was  to  be  used  in 
the  firing.  In  order  to  assure  depth  in  the  barrage,  one  bat- 
talion of  each  grouping  was  to  fire  two  hundred  meters  beyond 
the  line  on  which  the  other  battalions  were  firing.  The 
Hackett  grouping  (124th  Field  Artillery  and  the  2nd  Bat- 
talion of  the  123rd  Field  Artillery)  was  to  enfilade  certain 
German  trenches  in  the  Richecourt  sector,  supply  a  rolling 
barrage  on  the  western  edge  of  the  sector,  blind  and  destroy 
the  observation  posts  on  Mont  Sec,  and  shield  the  left  flank 
of  the  division  from  an  expected  counterattack  from  the  west. 
To  perform  these  missions,  the  gun  positions  were  very 
carefully  chosen.  The  Hackett  grouping  was  placed,  roughly 
speaking,  west  of  Bouconville,  the  Rivers  grouping  between 
Bouconville  and  Rambucourt,  and  the  Butner  grouping  be- 
tween Rambucourt  and  Beaumont.  The  Kennedy  grouping 
was  placed  behind  Rambucourt  and  the  Davis  grouping  behind 
Beaumont  and  Bouconville.  The  reconnaissance  of  these 
positions,  the  digging  of  gun  pits,  and  the  laying  in  of  two  and 
one-half  days'  fire   allowance   of   ammunition   are  operations 


240  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

much  easier  to  relate  than  they  were  to  accomplish.  The  fine 
weather,  the  clear  air,  and  the  nearness  of  the  German  obser- 
vation posts  made  necessary  the  performance  of  all  work  by 
night.  But  even  night  work  was  hard  to  do.  Rockets  and 
flares  dropped  by  hostile  aircraft  cast  Intermittent  floods  of 
light  on  fields  and  roads.  To  avoid  undue  traffic  congestion 
the  circulation  of  vehicles  took  a  counterclockwise  direction, 
from  the  ammunition  dump  In  the  Foret  de  la  Relne,  to  Beau- 
mont, Rambucourt,  Bouconvllle,  Broussey,  and  back  again  to 
the  Foret  de  la  Reine.  On  the  nights  of  September  8,  9,  10, 
and  1 1,  the  guns  were  drawn  from  the  echeloned  positions  Into 
the  prepared  gun  positions  and  on  September  11,  the  brigade 
P.  C.  was  moved  to  Beaumont. 

On  September  12  at  one  o'clock  In  the  morning  the  pre- 
liminary bombardment  of  four  hours  began.  This  bombard- 
ment, which  included  a  large  proportion  of  gas  shells,  was  con- 
tinuous and  fierce.  The  enemy  troops  were  so  unnerved  by  it 
and  so  confused  by  the  deadly  and  obscuring  barrage  fire  that 
the  advancing  troops  met  with  but  scattered  and  futile  resis- 
tance. The  observation  posts  on  Mont  Sec  were  partly 
obscured  by  smoke  and  their  telephone  lines  were  cut.  The 
troops  reached  their  objectives  on  scheduled  time,  and  on  the 
second  day  the  26th  Division  of  the  Vth  Corps,  which  had 
advanced  eastward  from  Les  Eparges,  met  the  1st  Division 
near  Vigneulles-les-Hattonchatel. 

The  battle  had  been  won.  Thousands  of  prisoners  had 
been  taken,  the  salient  had  been  demolished.  The  counter- 
attack never  came,  and  the  regiments  had  no  further  occasion 
to  fire.  All  the  spectacular  action  was  at  an  end,  but  much 
precautionary  work  had  still  to  be  done  and  this  was  exacting 
and  exhausting  business.  From  September  12  to  September 
14,  the  artillery  regiments  moving  in  echelon  successively  took 
up  advanced  positions  to  guard  against  the  still  threatened 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  241 

attack  from  the  west,  until  all  the  organizations,  with  caissons 
and  wagons  full  of  ammunition,  reached  Nonsard — a  total 
advance  of  more  than  eleven  kilometers  over  obstructed  and 
shell-ruined  roads.  The  disorganization  of  the  German 
resistance  in  itself  was  proof  of  the  excellence  of  the  artillery 
fire,  but  General  Summerall — whose  command,  the  1st  Divi- 
sion, was  reputed  to  be  one  of  the  best  divisions  in  the  Army — 
made  official  record  of  the  brigade's  accomplishments.  He 
cited  each  of  the  three  regiments  in  General  Orders  No.  58, 
September  19,  1918: 

For  great  devotion  to  duty  and  efficiency  in  advancing 
over  muddy  and  difficult  roads  under  the  worst  weather  condi- 
tions and  rendering  at  all  times  invaluable  support  to  the 
attacking  infantry  in  the  advance  of  September  12—13,  1918. 

The  importance  of  the  battle  in  which  the  brigade  took 
such  a  brilliant  part  is  shown  in  the  following  telegram.  It 
was  sent  by  General  Pershing  to  Major  General  Dickman, 
commanding  the  IVth  American  Army  Corps : 

Please  accept  my  sincere  congratulations  on  the  success- 
ful and  important  part  taken  by  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
4th  Corps  in  the  first  offensive  of  the  First  American  Army, 
on  September  12th  and  13th.  The  courageous  dash  and  vigor 
of  our  troops  has  thrilled  our  countrymen  and  evoked  the 
enthusiasm  of  our  allies.  Please  convey  to  your  command  my 
heartfelt  appreciation  of  their  splendid  work.  I  am  proud  of 
you  all. 

The  junction  of  the  26th  Division  and  the  1st  Division 
resulted  in  the  withdrawal  of  the  1st  Division  from  the  line. 
It  was  ordered  to  the  Bois  de  la  Belle  Oxiere  for  rest,  reorgani- 
zation, and  reequipment  and  along  with  it  was  to  go  its  divi- 
sional artillery.  The  artillery  organizations  were  in  great 
need  of  rest.  For  three  weeks  they  had  been  encamped  in  the 
wet  woods,  subjected  to  gas  and  bombing  attacks;  and  in  the 
latter  part  of  that  period  men  and  animals  had  become  well 

(16) 


242  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

tired  out,  the  cannoneers  from  digging  gun  emplacements,  the 
drivers  and  horses  from  hauling  ammunition.  Besides  this 
they  had  had  the  added  fatigue  of  the  attack  and  subsequent 
and  frequent  changes  of  position.  Before  the  regiments  began 
to  move,  however,  the  order  came  detaching  the  58th  Field 
Artillery  Brigade  from  the  1st  Division  and  ordering  it  to 
report  to  the  Second  French  Army.  So,  Instead  of  rest,  the 
brigade  was  to  go  through  one  of  its  most  exacting  experiences 
in  the  war,  a  period  of  long  and  tedious  night  marches  and  ot 
day  encampments  in  the  wet  woods,  from  St.  Mihiel  to  the 
Argonne. 

On  September  14  the  organizations  marched  from  Non- 
sard  to  the  woods  near  Broussey;  September  15,  they  marched 
via  GIronville,  Mecrin,  and  Koeur-la-Petlte  to  the  woods  near 
Koeur-la-Grande ;  September  16  they  moved  to  Plerrefitte  and 
towns  nearby — Belrain,  Nicey,  and  Villotte;  September  17 
and  18,  going  by  way  of  Beauzee,  Deuxnouds,  Seraucourt, 
Fleury,  and  Froidos,  they  moved  Into  the  woods  west  of 
Autrecourt.  On  September  21  they  finally  reached  the  Bols 
de  Parois.  The  total  distance  covered  in  the  week  was  104 
kilometers. 

The  First  American  Army  made  three  distinct  efforts  to 
pierce  the  German  lines  north  of  Verdun.  The  first,  lasting 
from  September  26  to  October  4,  and  the  second  from 
October  4  to  October  31,  constituted  a  slow,  creeping  fight  of 
great  ferocity.  The  Germans  were  driven  back  from  the 
organized  defenses  of  their  trench  system  to  partly  organized, 
but  very  effective  natural  defenses.  Range  on  range  of  steep 
wooded  hills  separated  by  sharply-cut  ravines,  lent  aid  to  the 
machine-gun  defense  of  the  enemy.  The  third,  beginning 
November  1,  was  the  mighty  thrust  which  broke  down  the 
German  organization  and  cut  the  Metz-Mezleres  Railroad, 
one  of  the  two  main  lines  of  supply  of  the  German  Army.  The 
58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  believes  it  was  the  first  organiza- 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  243 

tion  to  fire  on  the  Metz-Mezieres  Railroad,  which  it  attacked 
November  5.  These  three  operations  are  called  the  Meuse- 
Argonne  Offensive, 

Roughly,  the  American  sector  was  divided  as  follows : 
the  1st  Corps  attacked  in  the  Aire  Valley,  and  the  Vth  and 
Ilird  Corps  in  the  west  and  east  parts  of  the  Grand  Couronne. 
The  91st  Division,  supported  by  the  58th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade,  was  the  left  division  of  the  Vth  Corps,  with  the 
37th  and  79th  Divisions  on  its  right  and  on  its  left  the  35th 
Division  of  the  1st  Corps. 

Opposite  the  91st  Division  the  situation  was  this:  The 
German  supply  lines  ran  down  deep  ravines,  perpendicular  to 
the  front;  they  had  the  cover  afforded  their  artillery  by  suc- 
cessive ranges  of  wooded  hills;  their  machine  guns  could 
enfilade  all  approaches.  In  some  places  they  had  organized 
these  natural  defenses  with  barbed  wire  and  shallow  trenches, 
as  in  the  Kriemhild  and  Freya  Stellungen.  The  experienced 
German  Army  Staff  took  advantage  of  every  inch  of  this 
difficult  terrain  and  organized  an  admirable  defense,  depend- 
ing upon  isolated  machine  guns  and  artillery  of  all  caHbres. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  American  lines  of  supply  were 
never  particularly  good,  and  during  the  advance  their  condi- 
tion became  steadily  worse.  Our  troops  in  advancing  were 
often  in  full  view  of  the  concealed  German  machine  gunners 
and  artillery  observers.  Our  artillery  advanced  over  the  worst 
possible  roads  and  only  by  superhuman  efforts  was  it  able  to 
keep  up  with  our  attacking  infantry.  Our  forces  were  under 
another  disadvantage;  they  were  operating  in  this  sector  for 
the  first  time. 

The  divisional  artillery  of  the  91st  Division,  General 
Todd  commanding,  was  organized  in  four  groupings.  The 
Trench  Mortar  grouping,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
C.  J.  Kraft,  consisted  of  the  108th  Trench  Mortar  Battery,  the 


244  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

308th  Trench  Mortar  Battery,  and  the  17th  and  20th  Bat- 
teries of  the  176th  Regiment  of  French  Trench  Artillery.  It 
was  to  deliver  enfilading  and  destructive  fire  on  the  highly 
organized  trench  systems  just  west  of  Avocourt  and  to  cut 
gaps  in  the  first  wire  entanglements.  There  were  two  group- 
ings of  heavy  artillery,  the  155-millimeter  grouping,  which 
consisted  of  the  123rd  Field  Artillery  and  the  36th  Battery  of 
the  8th  Regiment  of  French  Foot  Artillery,  under  command 
of  Colonel  Charles  G.  Davis,  and  the  9.2-inch  grouping,  the 
65th  Regiment,  Colonial  Army  Corps,  under  command  of 
Colonel  Howell.  These  units  were  to  deliver  preparation  fire 
upon  machine  guns,  dugouts,  strong  points,  and  the  trenches 
farther  back.  During  the  attack  they  fired  the  covering  bar- 
rage. The  light  artillery  grouping,  under  command  of 
Brigadier  General  Fleming,  was  in  turn  divided  into  two  sub- 
groupings,  the  Foreman  subgrouping  and  the  Hackett  sub- 
grouping.  The  former  comprised  the  122nd  Field  Artillery 
and  the  1st  Battalion  of  the  124th  Field  Artillery  and  sup- 
ported the  1 8 1st  Brigade  in  the  right  of  the  sector.  The  latter 
was  made  up  of  the  322nd  Field  Artillery  and  the  2nd  Bat- 
talion of  the  124th  Field  Artillery  and  was  to  support  the 
182nd  Brigade  in  the  left  of  the  sector.  The  entire  grouping 
was  to  deliver  interdiction  and  harassing  fire  and  during  the 
preparation  was  to  cut  gaps  in  the  wire  entanglements.  Dur- 
ing the  attack  it  was  to  furnish  the  rolling  barrage.  All  the 
groupings  were  placed  within  the  division  sector  in  the  Foret 
de  Hesse,  midway  between  Vauquois  and  Avocourt,  and  those 
farthest  back  were  within  three  kilometers  of  the  enemy's 
front  line  trenches. 

General  Todd  received  instructions  for  the  attack  from 
the  Corps  Commander,  Major  General  Cameron,  and  from 
the  Corps  Artillery  Commander,  Major  General  Alexandre, 
September   19  at  the  Vth  Corps  Headquarters  in  Ville-sur- 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  245 

Cousances.  On  September  20  battery  positions  were  recon- 
noitred and  on  September  21  the  delivery  of  ammunition  to 
the  battery  positions  commenced.  Because  of  the  scarcity  of 
trucks  and  the  exhausted  condition  of  the  horses,  the  delivery 
of  ammunition  was  one  of  the  most  serious  problems  faced. 
Great  credit  should  be  given  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fisher  of 
the  108th  Ammunition  Train,  Lieutenant  Julien  of  General 
Alexandre's  staff.  First  Lieutenant  A.  G.  Ford  of  the  brigade 
staff,  and  to  the  personnel  of  the  brigade  for  putting  the  com- 
plete allowance  of  ammunition  in  place  in  so  few  days.  On 
September  21  and  22  the  1st  Battalion  of  the  124th  Field 
Artillery  took  over  the  defense  of  the  sector  from  the  French. 
The  brigade  P.  C.  was  moved  to  Bertrame  Ferme,  September 
23,  and  on  September  24  the  division  plan  of  attack  was 
received.  On  September  26  at  2:30  A.M.  the  preliminary 
bombardment  commenced;  it  continued  until  5:30  with  an 
intermission  of  five  minutes,  from  4:15  to  4:20,  to  permit  the 
sound-ranging  section  to  locate  acting  German  batteries.  From 
4:20  to  4:30  German  positions  were  gassed.  At  5  :30  the  in- 
fantry attacked. 

The  day's  objective  for  the  division  was  the  heights 
northwest  of  Gesnes.  This  meant  an  advance  of  fourteen 
kilometers  over  the  most  difficult  sort  of  ground  and  beyond 
the  fire  of  the  divisional  artillery.  The  troops  did  not  reach 
this  objective.  The  heights  were  finally  captured  about  Oc- 
tober 15.  Although  the  division  did  fail  to  reach  its  goal,  it 
fought  well.  It  advanced  six  kilometers  through  the  dense 
woods  of  Cheppy,  through  barrier  after  barrier  of  wire 
entanglements  and  resisted  by  nest  after  nest  of  machine  guns, 
to  the  ridge  northwest  of  Very. 

The  advance  of  the  infantry  was  remarkable,  but  the 
advance  of  the  artillery  was  more  so.  It  is  quite  reasonable 
that  the  infantry  attack  should  succeed  as  long  as  the  artillery 


246  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

kept  It  in  range.  The  artillery's  successful  effort  to  Increase 
its  range  promptly  by  moving  forward  was  the  outstanding 
feature  of  the  attack.  Before  dusk  of  the  first  day,  three  bat- 
talions of  75-millimeter  guns  had  passed  with  full  supplies  of 
ammunition  over  a  road  pronounced  impassable — the  road 
through  Avocourt — had  gone  into  position  from  one-half  to 
one  and  one-half  kilometers  behind  the  infantry  outpost  lines, 
had  oriented  their  guns,  and  had  laid  them  for  fire.  The  next 
day  the  remaining  battalion  of  the  124th  Field  Artillery  and 
the  123rd  Field  Artillery  with  its  attached  French  battaUon 
moved  into  the  same  neighborhood,  two  kilometers  southeast 
of  Very.  Here  the  regiments  fired  upon  all  obstacles  to  the 
infantry  advance,  upon  machine-gun  nests,  upon  enemy  bat- 
teries, and  upon  concentrations  of  enemy  troops.  On  Sep- 
tember 29,  Colonel  Horatio  B.  Hackett,  commanding  the 
124th  Field  Artillery,  while  gallantly  directing  his  regiment 
under  heavy  fire,  was  seriously  wounded  by  shell  splinters  and 
was  evacuated  to  the  hospital. 

By  September  29  the  infantry  advance  had  warranted  the 
further  displacement  of  the  regiments  northward.  The  2nd 
Battalion  of  the  124th  Field  Artillery  moved  to  a  position 
one-half  kilometer  west  of  Epinonvllle  and  the  rest  of  the 
brigade  moved  to  positions  between  Very  and  Epinonvllle. 
The  123rd  Field  Artillery  occupied  positions  just  off  the  road 
connecting  these  towns.  The  2nd  Battalion  of  the  124th 
Field  Artillery  was  in  position  west  of  the  road  and  all  the 
positions  of  the  122nd  Field  Artillery  were  east  of  the  road. 
Here  the  brigade  remained  until  October  11  and  12,  when  it 
was  withdrawn  for  rest  and  reequipment.  The  infantry  sup- 
ported by  the  brigade  was  making  slow  progress.  This  was 
not  due  to  any  fault  of  the  infantry  or  to  the  lack  of  artillery 
support.  At  one  time  the  left  divisional  flank  was  exposed  for 
a  kilometer  and  a  half  and  only  the  strength  and  quickness  of 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  247 

a  heavy  defensive  barrage  saved  our  infantry  from  encircle- 
ment. Again,  on  September  30,  behind  a  roUing  barrage  by 
the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  the  181st  Infantry  Brigade 
advanced  and  took  Gesnes.  The  exposure  of  the  flanks  again 
threatened  and  our  troops  had  to  retire. 

On  October  4,  the  91st  Division  Infantry  was  relieved 
by  the  32nd  Division,  to  which  the  58th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade  was  then  attached.  The  following  extract  from  a  let- 
ter from  the  Corps  Commander  gives  the  reasons  for  its 
relief: 

Under  orders  from  First  Army,  the  91st  Division  will 
be  relieved  from  the  front  line  tonight  and  placed  in  Corps 
Reserve. 

The  Corps  Commander  wishes  you  to  understand  that 
this  relief  results  solely  from  a  realization  by  higher  command 
that  your  Division  has  done  its  full  share  in  the  recent  success, 
and  is  entitled  to  a  rest  for  reorganization.  This  especially  as 
during  the  past  three  days  it  has  incurred  heavy  casualties 
when  circumstances  would  not  permit  either  advance  or  with- 
drawal. 

At  a  time  when  the  divisions  on  its  flank  were  faltering 
and  even  falHng  back,  the  Ninety-First  pushed  ahead  and 
steadfastly  clung  to  every  yard  gained. 

In  its  initial  performance,  your  Division  has  established 
itself  firmly  on  the  list  of  the  Commander  in  Chief's  reliable 
fighting  units.  Please  extend  to  your  officers  and  men  my 
appreciation  of  their  splendid  behavior  and  my  hearty  con- 
gratulations on  the  brilliant  record  they  have  made. 

Geo.  H.  Cameron, 
Major  General,  Commanding. 

The  32nd  Division  continued  to  attack  daily  and  the  58th 
Field  Artillery  continued  to  render  assistance.  At  this  time 
the  second  great  German  defensive  system  was  pierced.  The 
world-renowned  Kriemhild  Stellung,  which  bestrode  the  pre- 
cipitous wooded  slopes  north  of  Gesnes,  fell  before  the  Allied 
troops  after  a  bitter  fight. 

Throughout  the  whole  period,  the  liaison  officers  with 


248  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  infantry  units  always  displayed  bold  initiative  and  a  fine 
courage  and  because  of  their  efficient  service,  immediate  and 
effective  fire  was  brought  to  bear  upon  all  the  obstacles  hinder- 
ing our  infantry  advance.  Deserving  of  special  mention  in 
this  respect  is  the  work  of  First  Lieutenant  Latimer  Johns  of 
the  122nd  Field  Artillery.  Lieutenant  Johns  directed  the 
supporting  fire  of  his  regiment  for  the  attacking  infantry  from 
the  initial  assault  of  September  26  until  his  death;  and  during 
all  the  trying  days  he  displayed  an  intrepidity  which  is  shown 
only  by  the  bravest  of  men.  He  was  killed  by  shell  fire  on 
September  30  at  Gesnes. 

The  high  favor  in  which  the  artillery  was  held  may  be 
judged  by  two  letters  to  General  Todd  from  the  32nd  Divi- 
sion Infantry  Brigade  commanders;  the  one  from  Brigadier 
General  E.  B.  Winans,  the  other  from  Brigadier  General 
Frank  McCoy: 

I  desire  to  express  my  utmost  satisfaction  with  the  artil- 
lery support  by  your  58th  Artillery  Brigade  in  connection  with 
the  successful  attack  and  capture  by  the  64th  Infantry  Brigade 
of  the  Bois  de  la  Morine,  the  Bois  du  Chene  Sec,  and  the  town 
of  Gesnes.  In  this  operation  the  barrage  was  precise  and 
exactly  timed,  the  destructive  and  the  counter-battery  fire 
effective,  and  the  fire  on  fleeting  targets  prompt  and  accurate. 
The  efficient  liaison  established  by  your  liaison  officers,  Lieu- 
tenants Shields  and  Hunter,  is  deserving  of  high  commenda- 
tion. It  will  no  doubt  gratify  you  to  know  that  not  a  single 
report  of  friendly  "shorts"  was  received  during  this  opera- 
tion. (Signed)     Winans. 

During  the  first  few  days  of  the  operation  of  my  Brigade 
against  the  Kriemhilde  Stellung  in  front  of  Romagne,  I  had 
the  very  effective  support  of  your  Brigade  of  Field  Artillery, 
and  I  wish  to  express  my  appreciation  to  both  yourself  and 
your  Colonels.  I  was  keenly  conscious  of  this  support,  not 
only  when  asked,  but  of  the  quick  and  fine  initiative  of  your- 
self and  staff,  which  made  it  a  pleasure  and  satisfaction  to 
work  together. 

(Signed)     McCoy. 


fig''"**'''. 


CUMIERES-RAFFECOURT   ROAD,    CUMONT   RAVINE 


."Jft 


m 


CUMIERES-RAFFECOURT   ROAD 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  249 

Two  defensive  systems  had  been  crushed.  The  third 
was  to  fall  later. 

The  brigade  had  been  working  to  the  point  of  exhaus- 
tion. Accordingly,  on  October  1 1,  when  the  infantry  advanced 
beyond  the  range  of  our  guns,  the  brigade  was  relieved  from 
line  duty  and  was  sent  to  the  area  in  and  near  Ville-sur- 
Cousances  for  refitting.  So  great  had  been  the  losses  of 
horses  that  the  journey  was  made  in  easy  stages.  Brigade 
headquarters  and  the  123rd  Field  Artillery  went  to  Ville-sur- 
Cousances,  the  122nd  Field  Artillery  to  Jubecourt,  the  124th 
Field  Artillery  to  Brocourt,  the  108th  Ammunition  Train  to 
Brabant,  and  the  108th  Trench  Mortar  Battery  to  Vrain- 
court. 

After  an  inspection  on  October  17  by  Major  General 
McNair,  and  according  to  instructions  from  the  Army,  the 
123rd  Field  Artillery  turned  over  to  the  122nd  Field  Artillery 
and  to  the  124th  Field  Artillery  its  rolling  stock  and  animals. 
It  began  to  move  October  22  for  the  training  area  at  Doulain- 
court,  where  it  was  motorized.  By  this  transaction  the  two 
light  regiments  became  well  horsed. 

On  October  23  the  brigade  was  joined  by  the  11th  Field 
Artillery  (155-millimeter  motorized),  Colonel  W.  G.  Peace 
commanding.  The  brigade  went  back  into  the  familiar  sector, 
the  area  north  of  Gesnes.  It  was  still  in  the  Vth  Army  Corps, 
but  this  time  in  support  of  the  89th  Division.  The  brigade 
P.  C.  was  located  in  Gesnes,  which  had  been  abandoned  and 
subsequently  retaken  by  the  32nd  Division  supported  by  the 
brigade.  North  of  Gesnes  and  northwest  of  Romagne  the 
regiments  were  placed  in  the  well-defiladed,  wooded  valleys  of 
the  great  Kriemhild  Stellung.  The  enemy  had  organized  the 
Bois  de  Hazois  and  La  Dhuy  Ferme  as  strong  points  of  first 
resistance.  Behind  towered  the  formidable  heights  of  Barri- 
court,  thickly  wooded  and  bristling  with  enemy  batteries. 


250  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

The  regiments  moved  into  position  on  the  night  of  Oc- 
tober 25  and  from  that  time  to  the  first  of  November  engaged 
in  harassing,  interdiction,  and  counterbattery  fire.  The 
chief  targets  for  harassing  and  interdiction  fire  were  the  woods 
of  Hazois,  L'Epasse,  and  Andevanne;  for  harassing  fire  only, 
the  farms  of  La  Bergerie,  La  Dhuy,  and  La  Tuilerie  and  the 
town  of  Remonville;  for  interdiction  fire,  the  road  crossings 
between  Bantheville  and  Remonville.  During  this  period 
the  information  reports  of  Lieutenant  K.  K.  Richardson 
of  the  122nd  Field  Artillery  were  of  great  value  not  alone 
to  the  brigade,  but  to  the  army  corps  as  well. 

On  October  30,  General  Todd,  with  his  aide,  Lieutenant 
Leon  Dessez,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Frank  R.  Schwengel  of 
the  122nd  Field  Artillery,  and  accompanied  by  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Edward  A.  Millar,  while  making  a  personal  reconnais- 
sance of  the  roads  and  bridges  which  were  to  be  used  in  the 
expected  advance,  went  beyond  the  infantry  outpost  line  in  the 
western  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Bantheville.  His  party  was  im- 
mediately the  target  of  observed  enemy  shell  fire,  and  a  shell 
splinter  wounded  the  general  in  the  face.  Fortunately  he  was 
not  killed;  although  weak  from  loss  of  blood  he  continued  his 
reconnaissance  and  upon  returning  to  his  headquarters  issued 
to  the  regimental  commanders  the  instructions  based  on  his 
reconnaissance.  He  refused  to  allow  himself  to  be  sent  to  the 
hospital  until  the  brigade  was  about  to  move  forward  on 
November  1. 

The  artillery  concentration  for  the  offensive  of  Novem- 
ber 1  was  one  of  the  greatest,  if  not  the  greatest,  massing  of 
guns  of  the  war.  The  entire  57th  and  58th  Brigades  and  the 
203rd  French  Regiment  comprised  the  divisional  artillery  of 
the  89th  Division.  Besides,  there  was  located  in  the  sector  a 
great  number  of  guns  of  the  corps  and  army  artillery.  In  the 
divisional  area  two  kilometers  wide  there  were,  along  "with 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  251 

some  large  calibre  railway  guns,  32  batteries  of  75-millimeter 
rifles,  9  batteries  of  105-millimeter  rifles,  21  batteries  of  155- 
millimeter  howitzers,  6  batteries  of  155-millimeter  Schneider 
rifles,  6  batteries  of  155-millimeter  G.  P.  F.  rifles  and  4  bat- 
teries of  8.2-inch  howitzers,  a  total  of  78  batteries.  All  the 
divisional  artillery  of  the  89th  Division  was  under  the  com- 
mand of  Brigadier  General  Irwin,  commanding  the  57th 
Brigade,  until  the  battalions  began  to  move  forward,  when 
only  the  58th  Brigade  and  the  203rd  French  Regiment  were 
to  constitute  the  divisional  artillery  of  the  89th  Division  under 
the  command  of  Brigadier  General  E.  A.  Millar,  6th  Field 
Artillery  Brigade,  who  temporarily  succeeded  General  Todd 
in  command. 

At  3  :30  A.M.  the  preliminary  bombardment  started  and 
at  5  :30  the  infantry  attack  began.  The  heavy  guns  fired  upon 
known  strong  points  and  upon  sensitive  points  at  great  range. 
The  155-millimeter  howitzers  furnished  the  accompanying 
barrage  and  the  75-millimeter  rifles  fired  the  rolling  barrage. 
The  rolling  barrage  was  quite  remarkable.  One  battery  in 
each  battalion  fired  shrapnel  only,  and  one-fourth  of  all  the 
guns  fired  smoke  shells.  At  7  :30  the  rear  battalion  of  the 
122nd  Field  Artillery  ceased  firing  and  advanced  to  a  position 
near  La  Dhuy  Ferme.  It  was  followed  a  half  hour  later  by 
the  forward  battalion,  which  advanced  also  to  La  Dhuy 
Ferme  and  went  into  position  there.  From  these  positions 
the  regiments  took  up  the  rolling  barrage  at  12:30  according 
to  schedule  and  continued  it  to  and  beyond  the  day's  objective. 
The  124th  Field  Artillery  commenced  to  move  at  1 1  :30  and 
was  ready  to  fire  from  positions  northeast  of  La  Dhuy  Ferme 
by  the  middle  of  the  afternoon.  The  1 1th  Field  Artillery  left 
its  position  northwest  of  Romagne  in  the  afternoon  and 
marched  to  its  new  position  south  of  Remonvllle  before  day- 
break November  2.    In  the  afternoon,  General  Millar's  head- 


252  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

quarters  moved  to  La  Dhuy  Ferme,  The  day's  attack  was 
conspicuously  successful  along  the  entire  front  of  the  army. 
The  Allied  troops  reached  all  their  objectives  and  In  doing  so 
pierced  the  last  German  defensive  system  before  Sedan,  the 
Freya  Stellung  on  the  heights  of  Barrlcourt.  The  89th  Divi- 
sion with  the  support  of  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  cap- 
tured 1,500  prisoners,  many  machine  guns,  fieldpleces,  and 
great  quantities  of  ammunition,  and  was  one  of  the  divisions 
which  made  the  greatest  progress  of  the  day.  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Dwight  B.  Aultman,  chief  of  artillery  of  the  Vth  Corps, 
wrote  to  General  Millar: 

I  transmit  herewith  letter  of  commendation  from  the 
Corps  Commander  regarding  the  action  of  the  Artillery  In  the 
Operations  of  November  1st.  In  transmitting  this  letter  I 
desire  to  add  my  own  thanks  and  appreciation  to  you  and  to 
the  officers  and  men  of  your  Brigade  for  the  hearty  coopera- 
tion that  has  resulted  In  such  a  brilliant  success.  To  have 
enabled  our  infantry  to  advance  in  one  day  over  a  distance  of 
nine  kilometers,  with  small  losses,  capturing  over  a  hundred 
guns,  two  hundred  machine  guns  and  more  than  two  thousand 
prisoners  Is  an  achievement  which  the  artillery  may  well  be 
proud  of,  and  I  congratulate  your  entire  command  on  having 
so  well  performed  its  share  in  the  operation.  I  desire  that  the 
contents  of  the  letter  of  the  Corps  Commander  be  made 
known  to  the  officers  and  men  of  your  command,  as  well  as  my 
own  appreciation  of  their  own  splendid  conduct. 

The  letter  referred  to,  from  Major  General  Summerall, 
commanding  the  Vth  Army  Corps,  was  as  follows : 

I  desire  to  convey  to  you  and  to  the  officers  and  soldiers 
of  all  artillery  serving  In  this  Corps  my  profound  appreciation 
and  my  admiration  of  the  brilliant  manner  In  which  the  artil- 
lery of  all  classes  has  performed  the  difficult  part  allotted  to 
it,  especially  during  the  advance  of  November  1st.  Although 
the  artillery  has  been  constantly  in  action  day  and  night,  sus- 
taining the  battle  since  the  beginning  of  the  present  offensive, 
it  has  responded  with  self  sacrificing  devotion  to  duty  with 
superb  efficiency  that  Is  beyond  all  praise.    While  our  daunt- 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  253 

less  Infantry  have  advanced  against  the  enemy's  prepared 
positions  with  a  courage  that  eUcits  our  greatest  admiration, 
it  must  be  recognized  that  without  the  powerful  and  skillful 
operation  of  the  artillery  it  would  have  been  Impossible  to 
accomplish  the  results  which  they  have  so  brilliantly  achieved. 
The  tremendous  volume  of  fire,  the  skillful  arrangement  of  all 
objectives,  and  the  perfect  coordination  with  the  infantry  and 
machine  guns  have  made  the  action  of  November  1st  a  model 
of  completeness,  and  It  must  stand  as  a  tribute  to  the  able 
administrative  officers  who  conceived  the  plans  and  to  the 
technical  ability  and  fidelity  to  duty  of  those  who  executed 
them.  I  beg  that  you  convey  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  all 
units  of  all  artillery  the  foregoing  sentiments  and  assure  them 
of  my  abiding  wishes  for  their  continued  success  In  the  cam- 
paigns that  lie  before  them. 

On  November  2  the  122nd  Field  Artillery  advanced 
again  to  positions  near  Remonville.  At  5  :30  A.M.  the  infan- 
try continued  the  attack  protected  by  the  rolling  barrage  of  the 
two  light  regiments  and  the  covering  fire  of  the  11th  Field 
Artillery.  During  the  rest  of  the  day  the  two  light  regiments 
in  liaison  with  the  Infantry  fired  on  all  targets  reported,  while 
the  11th  Field  Artillery  and  the  corps  artillery  shelled  sensi- 
tive areas  and  counterbatteried  enemy  guns  reported  In  action. 
The  day's  advance  was  five  kilometers. 

From  this  time  until  November  6,  the  advance  continued 
rapidly,  the  Infantry  pressing  ahead  all  the  while,  the  advan- 
cing batteries  occupying  position  after  position.  With  effective 
artillery  support  the  infantry  penetrated  and  captured  the 
Foret  de  DIeulet  and  reached  the  Meuse.  The  brigade  P.  C. 
moved  from  La  Dhuy  Ferme  to  Remonville,  then  to  Barri- 
court,  and  then  to  Tallly.  On  November  5  General  Todd 
returned  from  the  hospital  and  resumed  command  of  the 
brigade.  The  same  day  the  203rd  French  Regiment  attached 
to  the  brigade  opened  fire  on  the  main  artery  of  the  German 
communication  In  the  east,  the  Metz-Mezleres  Railroad.  On 
November  7,  In  anticipation  of  supporting  the  river  crossing, 


254  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

all  regiments  took  up  positions  northwest  of  the  Laneuville- 
Beaumont  road.  The  11th  Field  Artillery  took  up  and  con- 
tinued to  fire  on  the  Metz-Mezieres  Railroad,  Ammunition 
was  brought  up  and  all  the  regiments  were  well  stocked  with 
supphes,  General  Todd  completed  the  artillery  plan  of  attack. 

On  the  night  of  November  10  a  crossing  of  the  Meuse 
was  to  be  forced  from  Pouilly  on  the  left  to  Stenay  on  the 
right.  The  eastern  heights  of  the  river  were  to  be  seized.  To 
support  this  movement  the  divisional  artillery  was  divided  into 
three  tactical  groupings :  the  Foreman  grouping,  composed  of 
the  122nd  Field  Artillery  and  1st  Battahon  of  the  124th  Field 
Artillery;  the  Rogers  grouping,  composed  of  the  2nd  Bat- 
tahon of  the  124th  Field  Artillery  and  the  Battalion  of  the 
203rd  French  Field  Artillery;  and  the  Peace  grouping,  or  the 
11th  Field  Artillery.  The  commanders  of  the  first  two 
groupings  arranged  with  the  infantry  commanders  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  left  and  right  crossings  respectively.  The  Peace 
grouping  remained  under  the  control  of  the  Divisional  Artil- 
lery Commander.  It  was  planned  to  have  it  pass  to  the  con- 
trol of  the  Corps  Artillery  Commander  after  the  objectives 
had  been  reached,  but  the  armistice  ended  hostilities  before 
this  happened. 

The  attack  started  at  21  :30  hours  on  November  10.  By 
the  morning  of  November  1 1  the  troops  were  mopping  up 
Pouilly  and  Stenay  and  were  on  the  heights  north  of  Pouilly. 
On  November  11  at  11 :00  hours  the  guns  were  silent.  Ger- 
many had  agreed  to  the  terms  of  the  Allied  armistice.  An- 
nouncement of  the  German  acceptance  reached  brigade  head- 
quarters at  9:30;  at  10:45  the  light  guns  ceased  fire  and  at 
1 1 :00  hours  the  Peace  grouping  ceased  fire.  An  unknown  calm 
came  upon  the  country. 

The  time  between  November  5  and  November  1 1  was 
most  trying  for  the  brigade.    The  only  route  of  supplies  and 


CUMIERES-RAFFECOURT   ROAD,    CONSTRUCTION    OVER   TRENCH 


CUMIERES-RAFFECOURT    ROAD,    CONSTRUCTION     NEAR    TRENCH 
INTERSECTION 


58TH  FIELD  ARTILLERY  255 

ammunition  was  through  Laneuvllle,  a  route  constantly  sub- 
jected to  murderous  enfilade  shell  fire.  That  it  was  possible 
to  keep  the  regiments  supphed  was  due  only  to  the  dauntless 
bravery  of  ofl[icers  and  men  alike. 

A  word  of  special  praise  is  due  to  First  Lieutenant 
Joseph  Z.  Burgee,  brigade  communications  ofiicer.  Through- 
out the  advance,  brigade  headquarters  kept  in  constant  touch 
with  the  regiments  and  with  the  infantry.  For  one  day  at 
least  all  the  division  communications  were  sent  over  the 
brigade  telephone  lines.  In  handling  this  troublesome  prob- 
lem and  by  maintaining  lines  through  heavily  shelled  areas, 
Lieutenant  Burgee  displayed  not  only  initiative  and  daring, 
but  great  brilliancy  as  well. 

Adequately  to  assess  the  accomplishment  of  the  first  of 
November  offensive,  it  is  again  necessary  to  quote  Major  Gen- 
eral Summerall : 

The  announcement  of  a  general  armistice  with  the  enemy 
brings  to  a  temporary  suspension  the  brilliant  advance  of  the 
5th  Corps  which  commenced  November  1st.  The  Corps 
Commander,  therefore,  takes  this  occasion  to  congratulate 
the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  troops  engaged  with  the  Corps 
upon  the  fortitude,  the  courage,  the  endurance,  the  skill  and 
the  determination  that  characterized  their  conduct  through- 
out the  operation.  The  Corps  Commander  further  desires  to 
express  his  gratitude  for  the  loyalty  with  which  the  troops 
have  responded  to  every  demand  which  has  been  made  upon 
them  and  to  assure  them  of  the  deep  sense  of  his  pride  and 
the  honor  that  has  come  to  him  in  commanding  such  superb 
organizations. 

Commencing  November  1st  the  troops  have  advanced 
more  than  thirty  kilometers  against  the  strongest  opposition 
that  the  enemy  could  offer  by  his  best  troops.  They  have 
broken  through  the  last  vestige  of  the  Hindenburg  Line  and 
the  Freya  Stellung,  captured  many  prisoners,  numerous  guns, 
large  quantities  of  war  material  and  have  dispersed  and 
destroyed  the  enemy  organizations.  On  the  very  night  preced- 
ing the  armistice  the  troops  of  this  Corps  made  a  brilliant 


256  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

passage  of  the  river  Meuse  and  occupied  the  high  ground  con- 
stituting the  bridgehead  to  the  east  of  that  river. 

Notwithstanding  that  since  the  last  days  of  August  these 
troops  have  been  constantly  marching  and  fighting,  sleeping 
in  the  open  and  even  at  times  going  without  their  regular  sup- 
plies of  food,  and  subjected  to  rain,  cold,  and  exposure  in  the 
mud,  there  has  been  no  fault  nor  complaint,  but  with  a  single- 
ness of  purpose  they  have  devoted  themselves  to  the  great 
mission  that  devolves  upon  them. 

By  their  progress  they  have  contributed  immeasurably 
to  the  total  defeat  of  the  enemy  and  compelled  him  to  sue  for 
terms.  Prior  to  the  advance,  the  Corps  Commander  took 
occasion  to  assure  the  troops  that  great  results  must  follow 
upon  their  actions  and  that  they  must  expect  to  capture  large 
numbers  of  prisoners  and  booty.  The  success  in  compelling 
the  enemy  to  sue  for  peace  has  been  beyond  our  greatest 
expectations.  History  will  accord  to  the  troops  of  this  Corps 
their  abundant  share  in  the  fruits  of  victory.  All  officers  and 
soldiers  who  participated  in  this  campaign  must  feel  a  just 
pride  in  the  privilege  that  came  to  them  and  the  place  they 
must  occupy  in  the  gratitude  and  affection  of  our  people.  To 
those  of  our  comrades  that  have  laid  down  their  lives,  or  who 
have  suffered  wounds  or  sickness,  we  and  our  nation  will  ever 
afford  those  sentiments  of  reverence  and  honor  that  they  have 
justly  earned. 


X.     OPERATIONS  OF  THE  33RD  DIVISION  FROM 

THE  ARMISTICE  UNTIL  ITS  DEPARTURE 

FROM  LUXEMBOURG 

On  Tuesday,  November  12,  1918,  the  33rd  Division  was 
definitely  established  in  the  positions  which  it  was  destined  to 
occupy,  with  few  modifications,  for  nearly  a  month. ^  Every 
effort  was  exerted  to  make  the  troops  as  comfortable  as  pos- 
sible as  well  as  to  locate  them  in  such  a  manner  as  to  be  in 
readiness  for  any  advance.-  The  day  was  chleHy  spent  in 
organizing  the  positions  and  in  picketing  the  lines  so  as  to  pre- 
vent fraternization  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  who  seemed 
determined  to  establish  friendly  relations  In  spite  of  the 
stringent  order  received  to  prevent  any  communication  be- 
tween the  opposing  forces.^  That  Tuesday  Inaugurated  a 
period  of  routine  camp  duties  and  constant  training  through- 
out the  division  which  lasted  until  the  first  week  In  December 
and  which  was  devoid  of  special  Interest  so  far  as  the  troops 
were  concerned  except  for  a  few  changes  of  position  and  for 
the  days  devoted  to  salvaging  and  policing  the  areas  occupied. 

The  night  of  November  11-12  was  characterized  by  an 
illumination  caused  by  pyrotechnics  of  every  description, 
which  extended  along  the  enemy  lines  for  miles;  it  was  accom- 
panied by  sounds  strongly  akin  to  those  of  drunken  revelry 
which  floated  across  No  Man's  Land  from  the  German  posi- 
tions. Beginning  at  4  P.M.  on  November  12  and  lasting  until 
midnight,  and  again  shortly  before  dawn  on  November  13 
similar  phenomena  were  witnessed."* 

On  Wednesday,  November  13,  the  following  telephone 
message  was  received  from  the  Deputy  Chief  of  Staff  of  the 
Second  Army  at  Toul : 

257 

(17) 


258  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Instructions  [have  been]  received  from  G.  H.  Q.  that 
any  ItaHans,  Poles  or  Russian  prisoners  released  by  the  Ger- 
mans on  our  front  and  come  into  our  lines  be  received  and 
treated  with  kindness  and  given  shelter,  food  and  medical 
attention,  if  needed.  They  are,  however,  to  be  kept  segre- 
gated and  not  allowed  to  wander  around  or  mingle  with  our 
men  and  they  are  to  have  no  communication  whatever  with 
our  soldiers. 

They  will  at  once  be  investigated  by  G-2  and  a  report 
made  direct  to  Army  Headquarters,  giving  result  of  investiga- 
tion. Particular  attention  will  be  given  by  G— 2  to  ascertain- 
ing the  section  of  the  country  from  which  these  people  came 
and  every  effort  will  be  made  to  determine  whether  they  mani- 
fest any  Bolchevism  tendencies. 

'g-2. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  these  unfortunates  were  beginning 
to  present  themselves  in  considerable  numbers  and  at  3  P.M. 
that  day  7  Russians,  30  French,  and  367  Italians  had  been  re- 
ceived on  the  division  front. '^ 

During  the  course  of  the  day  several  important  com- 
munications were  received  from  the  Pleadquarters  of  the  17th 
French  Army  Corps.  One  announced  that  at  8  P.M.  the  33rd 
Division,  exclusive  of  the  62nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  would 
be  transferred  to  the  IVth  American  Corps  ;^  another  directed 
the  immediate  withdrawal  of  that  brigade  which  was  to  be 
cantoned  near  the  Troyon-St.  Mihiel  Railway  and  the  detail 
of  sufficient  personnel  from  the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade 
to  accompany  the  motor  transport  proceeding  to  it  from  the 
167th  Field  Artillery  Brigade;'^  the  third  gave  instructions 
relative  to  the  transmission  of  reports  from  the  enemy  re- 
specting the  location  of  mines  ;^  and  the  fourth  contained  spe- 
cific directions  concerning  the  treatment  of  German  soldiers 
and  bearers  of  flags  of  truce.'-' 

The  principal  communication  of  Importance  on  Thurs- 
day, November   14,  was  the   following  telegram  which  was 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  259 

received  at  8  a.m.  from  the    Chief   of   Staff   of   the    Second 

Army: 

Wabash  Nov.  13-18. 
C.  G.  33rd  Divn. 

A.  E.  F. 
19:30  hours.  Number  172  G-3.  Following  telegram  re- 
ceived this  afternoon  from  G.  H.  Q.  Is  repeated  for  your  In- 
formation and  guidance  quote :  In  accordance  with  the  terms 
of  the  Armistice,  certain  German  officers  carrying  documents 
relative  to  the  release  [of]  establishments  of  the  line  of  com- 
munication [railroad,  water-ways,  telegraph  and  telephone] 
are  [to]  confer  with  French  authorities  at  the  railroad  station 
at  Nancy  at  14:00  hours  on  the  fourteenth,  fifteenth  and  six- 
teenth of  November.  The  French  authorities  request  that  if 
the  German  representatives  arrive  at  any  point  of  the  Ameri- 
can Army  such  representatives  be  given  all  facilities  of  cross- 
ing the  lines  and  that  they  be  accompanied  by  an  officer  to  the 
railroad  station  of  Nancy.  You  will  then  comply  with  the  re- 
quest of  the  French  authorities  in  the  event  the  German  rep- 
resentatives present  themselves  before  your  lines.  By  orders. 
Conner. 

Heintzelman. 

The  Influx  of  released  prisoners  continued  unabated 
along  the  entire  division  front  and  some  difficulty  was 
experienced  in  supplying  them  as  was  desired.  Some  valuable 
Information  was  obtained  from  them  and,  according  to  their 
statements,  "it  appears  that  the  greater  part  of  the  territory 
for  30  kilometers  east  of  Woel  has  been  evacuated  and  that 
only  a  few  Germans  remain  in  this  area,"  while  others  de- 
clared that  "Conflans  is  being  evacuated  today. "^<' 

November  15  passed  without  event  of  Importance  save 
the  Issuance  from  Division  Headquarters  of  two  training  cir- 
culars and  orders  for  a  thorough  policing  next  day  of  all  bil- 
lets, camps,  horse-lines,  and  the  areas  adjacent  to  them.^^ 
Some  relief  was  obtained  in  the  locations  congested  by  the 
numbers  of  released  prisoners  by  sending  439  of  them  to  the 
inclosure  of  the  IVth  Corps  at  WoinvIUe,  near  St.  Mihiel.^^ 


260  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

At  5  A.M.  on  Sunday,  November  17,  the  33rd  Division 
passed  out  of  the  IVth  American  Army  Corps  and  Into  the 
Second  Army  Reserve. ^^  At  that  same  hour  the  newly-created 
American  Army  of  Occupation — officially  designated  as  the 
Third  Army — began  its  advance  toward  Luxembourg  en  route 
Into  Germany  and  took  over  the  fronts  of  the  First  and  Second 
Armies,  which  were  destined  to  remain  In  reserve  and  to 
devote  their  time  to  tralnlng.^^  Reports  of  poisoned  wells  and 
various  diabolical  devices  employed  by  the  enemy  caused  a 
warning  to  be  given  to  the  entire  Second  Army  against  the 
Indiscriminate  handling  of  boxes  abandoned  by  the  Germans. ^^ 
•  November  18  was  chiefly  notable  for  the  orders  issued 
for  the  salvaging  of  the  entire  division  area,  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  Lieutenant  Colonel  William  H.  Simpson  as  acting 
Chief  of  Staff  of  the  division,  in  place  of  Brigadier  General 
W.  K.  Naylor,  who  had  been  made  the  Chief  of  Staff  of  the 
IXth  Corps,  and  the  appointment  of  Major  Roane  Waring, 
adjutant  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  as  G-3  of  the  division 
to  fill  the  place  vacated  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Simpson. ^^ 
Major  O.  T.  Troster  also  succeeded  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wil- 
liam C.  Gardenhire  as  G— 1  of  the  division. 

Salvaging  and  policing  formed  the  main  interest  of  the 
division  during  the  ensuing  four  days.^'^  On  November  23, 
however,  additional  Instructions  were  issued  respecting  the 
training  to  be  pursued  during  the  next  four  weeks. ^^  General 
Bell  spent  part  of  that  afternoon  at  Stenay  In  conference  with 
General  Todd  of  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  and,  upon 
his  return  to  Troyon-sur-Meuse  that  evening  at  9  :20,  received 
a  stinging  reprimand  from  the  Commander-in-Chief,  dated 
November  20,  1918,^^  for  "the  condition  of  the  billets  and 
camping  area  at  La  Fourche,  Le  Calvaire,  Benolte  Vaux  and 
Route  de  Issoncourt."-''  The  33rd  Division,  It  was  stated, 
"occupied  the  aforesaid  billets  and  area  just  prior  to  October 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  261 

14  and  15,  1918"  and  "left  the  billets  and  the  camping  area  In 
a  most  disgraceful,  unsanitary  condition."  General  Bell  was 
censured  for  his  lack  of  control,  administration,  and  the 
discipline  of  his  command,  and  was  informed  that  "the  reports 
referred  to  and  this  letter  are  now  a  part  of  the  official 
records"  at  General  Headquarters.  This  communication 
terminated  with  this  sentence:  "The  receipt,  without  further 
remark  or  explanation  on  your  part,  will  be  acknowledged  at 
once  by  courier  letter  addressed  to  the  Chief  of  Staff,  A.  E.  F., 
A.  P.  O.  706." 

On  October  14  and  IS,  1918,  the  entire  33rd  Division 
was  hotly  engaged  on  both  banks  of  the  Meuse  north  of 
Verdun,  as  has  already  been  seen.^^  At  no  time  during  Its 
existence  did  the  33rd  Division  occupy  the  billets  and  camping 
area  specified.  The  charges  made  by  the  Commander-in-Chief 
were  therefore  without  the  slightest  foundation  In  fact.  The 
number  and  volume  of  the  papers  connected  with  these 
groundless  accusations  are  such  as  to  preclude  their  incorpora- 
tion in  the  text.  They  have  accordingly  been  Inserted  in 
appendix  37,  where  the  reader  who  Is  Interested  In  this  case 
can  examine  them  In  detail. 

The  remaining  days  of  November,  1918,  possessed  little 
of  interest  save  the  transfer  of  the  division  from  the  IVth  to 
the  IXth  Corps  on  November  26, ^^  the  Innovation  in  the 
appointment  of  an  executive  officer  In  all  regiments  and  com- 
panies, several  tactical  manoeuvres,  certain  changes  of  posi- 
tion by  some  of  the  units,  and  further  policing  of  the  area 
occupied  by  the  command. ^^ 

This  work  was  continued  throughout  the  opening  days  of 
December  until  the  entire  division  area  had  been  thoroughly 
policed. ^^  On  the  first  of  the  month  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade 
was  concentrated  In  rest  billets  in  the  area  of  the  Fort  de 
Troyon.^^     On  December  2  orders  were  received  to  send  a 


262  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

battalion  to  Metz  to  participate  in  the  review  to  be  held  there 
on  December  8  by  President  Poincare.-*''  The  following  day 
division,  brigade,  and  regimental  commanders  and  most  of 
the  Division  Staff  motored  to  Toiil,  where  they  were  con- 
ducted through  the  Headquarters  of  the  Second  Army  and  a 
demonstration  was  given  them  of  the  proper  functioning  of 
an  army  headquarters.-^  On  December  4,  the  entire  33rd 
Division  participated  in  a  manoeuvre  in  the  Troyon  sector. ^^ 
On  December  5  notification  was  received  that  at  3  P.M.  that 
day  the  division  would  be  transferred  out  of  the  IXth  Corps 
and  placed  in  the  Army  Reserve,  and  warning  orders  were 
issued  for  the  movement  of  the  command  from  its  present 
area  to  that  of  Etain  and  Conflans.-^  On  the  following  day,  in 
conformity  with  instructions  from  the  Second  Army,^*'  there 
were  issued  Field  Order  No.  37,  the  March  Tables  for  the 
advance  on  December  7  and  8,  and  three  memoranda  bearing 
upon  this  movement.^^ 

The  advance  toward  Luxembourg  of  the  Third  Army, 
which  was  destined  to  become  the  American  Army  of  Occupa- 
tion in  Germany,^^  has  been  mentioned.  To  provide  the  Third 
Army  with  the  necessary  transport  the  First  and  Second 
Armies  were  stripped  of  a  large  number  of  trucks,  so  that  the 
33rd  Division  found  itself  reduced  to  about  one-half  the  trans- 
port authorized  by  the  Tables  of  Organization.^^  Prior  to  its 
departure  from  the  Troyon  sector,  every  effort  was  made  to 
put  this  transport  into  the  best  condition  possible  under  the 
circumstances  and  to  procure  such  spare  parts  as  were  most 
urgently  needed. ^^  These  endeavors  were  attended  with  scant 
success, ^^  and  the  movement  of  the  division  was  correspond- 
ingly handicapped. 

The  advance  toward  Luxembourg  began  Saturday,  De- 
cember 7,  1918^*' — a  cold,  wretched  day — and  that  afternoon 
the  line  Thillot-Labry  was  reached. ^'^  The  next  day  the  move- 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  263 

ment  was  continued  and  the  Etaln-Conflans  area  attained,  the 
Division  Headquarters  being  transferred  from  Troyon-sur- 
Meuse  to   Conflans.^^    Orders  were   issued   that   day   by   the 
Headquarters  of  the  Second  Army  for  detachments  of  the 
33rd  to  reheve  all  elements  of  the  5th,  (Regular)    Division 
doing  guard  and  police  duty   in   the   HoUerich   area   and   the 
detachments   at  Esch,    Remich,    Bettembourg,^^   and   near-by 
places.    By  all  odds  the  most  important  event  of  that  Sunday 
was  the  formal  occupation  of  the  provinces  of  Alsace   and 
Lorraine,  which  took   place   at   Metz   and   was   attended   by 
President  Poincare,  M.  Clemenceau,  the  French  premier.  Mar- 
shals Joffre,  Foch,  and  Petain,   Field  Marshal  Sir  Douglas 
Haig,  Lord  Derby,  and  other  notable  personages.     This  his- 
toric ceremony  opened,  about  9  :30  A.M.,  with  an  Inspection  of 
the  troops  by  the  President  of  the  French  Republic  and  his 
party,  who  were  received  with  full  honors.    The  color  bearers 
then  formed  in  the  Place  de  la  Republique  opposite  the  review- 
ing stand  and  were  addressed  by  the  President,  who  thereupon 
summoned  General  Petain  and  invested  him  with  the  baton  of 
a  marshal  of  France.     A  grand  review  followed,  the  proces- 
sion being  composed  almost  wholly  of  battalions  from  famous 
French  divisions.    The  only  body  of  foreign  troops  was  a  pro- 
visional battalion  of  32  officers  and  735  men  from  the  131st 
Infantry,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Joseph  B.  Sanborn., 
selected  out  of  the  entire  American  Expeditionary  Forces  to 
represent  the  United  States,  and  to  it  was  accorded  the  place 
of  honor  at  the  head  of  the  parade.^^     It  Is  gratifying  to  be 
able  to  record  that  the  appearance  of  the  American  troops  was 
in  keeping  with  their  conspicuous   achievements   and  excited 
favorable  comment.^^ 

The  movement  of  the  33rd  Division  was  resumed  Mon- 
day, December  9,  and  the  line  Norroy-Mancleulles  was 
reached.^-      The   principal   episode    of   importance    was   the 


264  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

receipt  of  a  telegraphic  notification  that  the  division  had  been 
transferred  from  the  Second  to  the  Third  Army  but  that  the 
actual  date  of  the  passing  of  command  would  be  arranged 
between  the  commanders  of  those  two  armies. ^^ 

The  march  of  D.ecember  10,  11,  and  12,  was  attended  by 
very  disagreeable  weather — cold  with  rain  and  fog — which 
did  not  add  to  the  comfort  of  the  troops.  On  December  10 
the  division  P.  C.  was  transferred  from  Conflans  to  Aumetz 
and  two  days  later  to  Esch.  Instructions  were  received  on 
December  1 1  from  the  Vllth  Corps  countermanding  the 
original  destination  and  directing  that  the  33rd  Division  re- 
main south  of  the  line  Luxembourg-Remich  until  further 
orders. "^^  At  the  termination  of  the  advance  made  during 
these  three  days  the  entire  command  was  located  in  a  sector 
roughly  resembling  a  crescent  and  extending  from  the  north- 
east to  the  west  of  the  city  of  Luxembourg,  between  it  and  the 
Moselle.  At  noon  on  December  12,  the  33rd  Division  passed 
into  the  Vllth  Corps  and  became  part  of  the  Third  Army, 
better  known  as  the  American  Army  of  Occupation.^^ 

Friday,  December  13,  1918,  was  a  day  of  rest  for  the 
weary  troops,  who  were  decidedly  fatigued  after  six  days  of 
continuous  marching  over  muddy  roads  in  a  never-ceasing 
downpour  of  rain;  the  only  movement  on  this  day  was  that  of 
the  108th  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police  from 
Berchem  to  Hesperingen.  In  accordance  with  instructions 
from  the  Headquarters  of  the  Third  Army,  the  necessary 
orders  were  issued  for  the  advance  of  the  division  to  the  Saar- 
burg  area  in  Rhenish  Germany,  accompanied  by  a  march 
table  for  the  first  day.^^ 

The  movement  was  resumed  Saturday,  December  14, 
and  that  afternoon  the  leading  units  reached  the  Moselle 
River,  which   constitutes    the   boundary   between   the   Grand 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  265 

Duchy  of  Luxembourg  and  the  German  Palatinate  of  the 
Rhine.^^ 

The  first  fair  weather  encountered  since  leaving  the 
Troyon  sector  came  on  Sunday,  December  15,^^  when  the 
advance  of  the  division  carried  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade 
across  the  Moselle  and  into  the  picturesque  valley  of  the  Saar, 
while  the  artillery  reached  Remich  and  the  65th  Infantry 
Brigade  got  beyond  Manternach.  About  noon,  however,  tele- 
graphic instructions  from  the  Third  Army,  transmitted  by  the 
Vllth  Corps,  were  received,  announcing  that,  inasmuch  as  the 
number  of  divisions  to  enter  Germany  had  been  restricted  to 
eight,  the  33rd  would  be  transferred  at  a  subsequent  date  to 
the  Second  Army;  in  consequence  its  advance  was  to  be  im- 
mediately suspended  and  any  units  which  had  crossed  the 
German  frontier  were  to  be  withdrawn  into  Luxembourg.'*^ 
The  necessary  orders  were  at  once  issued, ^*^  and  that  afternoon 
General  Bell,  accompanied  by  the  Division  Adjutant,  motored 
from  Esch  to  Saarburg  in  order  to  make  certain  that  General 
Wolf  had  received  instructions  to  withdraw  all  elements  of  the 
66th  Infantry  Brigade  west  of  the  Moselle.  Saarburg  was 
found  swarming  with  French  troops,  who  were  apparently 
greatly  relishing  the  occupation  of  German  territory  after  a 
lapse  of  forty-eight  years. ^^ 

On  Monday,  December  16,  1918,  a  cloudy  day  with 
some  fog,^-  practically  the  entire  division  stood  fast  in  the 
positions  which  had  been  reached  the  day  before.  As  a  pre- 
cautionary measure,  the  orders  of  the  preceding  day  were  sup- 
plemented by  telegrams  directing  that  all  elements  which  had 
crossed  the  German  frontier  be  withdrawn.''^  The  66th  In- 
fantry Brigade  in  toto  had  attained  the  region  of  Saarburg,  as 
has  already  been  seen,  but  only  two  of  the  leading  units  of  the 
65th  Infantry  Brigade  had  got  over  the  Moselle  on  Sunday. 
Upon  receipt  of  these  telegraphic  instructions,  the  latter  were 


266  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

promptly  countermarched  across  the  river  ;^^  owing  to  the  con-, 
gestion  of  troops  in  the  Saarburg  area  and  the  scarcity  of  sup- 
phes  resulting  from  the  lack  of  transport,  however,  the  entire 
66th  Infantry  Brigade  was  not  withdrawn  from  German  ter- 
ritory until  next  day.  In  view  of  the  unexpected  turn  in  events, 
General  Bell  deemed  it  advisable  to  ascertain  in  person  from 
General  Haan,  the  Commander  of  the  Vllth  Corps,  or  from 
his  Chief  of  Staff,  the  exact  conditions  and  status  of  the  33rd 
Division  and,  accordingly,  motored  that  Monday  afternoon  to 
Treves,  where  he  obtained  the  information  desired. ^^ 

To  the  tributes  already  received  from  British  and  French 
commanders  under  whom  the  33rd  Division  had  served  was 
added  the  following  letter,  which  reached  General  Bell  on 
December  1 5  and  which  was  published  to  the  command  on  the 
next  day  in  General  Order  No.  150: 

Headquarters  Second  Army 

American  E.  F. 
France,  12  December,  1918. 
From:        Commanding  General,  Second  Army. 
To:  Commanding  General,  33rd  Division,  American 

E.  F. 
Subject :     Activity  of  the  33rd  Division  prior  to  the  Armis- 
tice. 

1.  Upon  the  transfer  of  the  33rd  Division,  from  the 
Second  to  the  Third  American  Army,  I  desire  to  express  to 
you  my  gratification  at  the  vigorous  and  successful  activities 
of  your  division  during  the  period  of  active  operations  preced- 
ing the  Armistice. 

2.  The  33rd  Division,  although  occupying  a  broad 
front,  was  called  upon  to  advance  towards  Conflans,  and  was 
engaged  in  the  performance  of  this  mission  at  the  time  that 
hostilities  ceased. 

3.  On  November  6  to  7,  when  accurate  information  of 
the  enemy's  intentions  was  greatly  desired,  raiding  parties 
from  your  Division  penetrated  to  Chateau  d'Aulnois  and  cap- 
tured 21  prisoners,  including  one  officer.  On  November  7 
to  8,  your  reconnaissance  patrols  entered  Bois  d'Harville  and 


i;i  1,1  WING  OF   NEW   CUMIERES-RAFFECOURT    ROAD 


ARTILLERY    BR1D(;H,    CU  MILRES-RAFFKCOURT    ROAD 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  267 

St.  Hilaire  and  brought  back  8  prisoners.  On  November  9  to 
10,  you  drove  the  enemy  from  the  towns  of  St.  Hilaire  and 
Marcheville  and,  at  the  time  of  cessation  of  Hostilities,  your 
division  had  occupied  these  towns,  as  well  as  the  towns  of 
Butgneville  and  Riaville. 

4.  The  conduct  of  t|^e  33rd  Division  exemplified  its 
ability  to  execute  promptly  and  thoroughly  the  tasks  which 
were  given  to  it.  There  was  shown,  on  the  part  of  both 
officers  and  men,  an  efficiency  and  fighting  spirit  which  are 
highly  commendable. 

(Signed)      R.  L.  Bullard, 
Lieutenant  General,  U.  S.  A. 

At  noon  Tuesday,  December  17,  1918,  the  33rd  Division 
passed  out  of  the  Vllth  Corps  and  the  Army  of  Occupation 
and  became  part  of  the  reserve  of  the  Second  Army.^*^  The 
entire  66th  Infantry  Brigade  was  withdrawn  from  German 
territory  and  was  concentrated  just  west  of  the  Moselle  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Remich,  which  was  somewhat  congested 
that  night,  having  been  occupied  since  December  14  by  the 
55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade.  The  eventual  destination  of  the 
division  was  a  region  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Grand  Duchy 
of  Luxembourg  extending  from  the  Moselle  to  Arlon  in 
Belgium,  and  the  advance  in  that  direction  was  inaugurated 
that  Tuesday  by  the  transfer  of  the  division  P.  C.  and  Head- 
quarters Troop  from  Esch  to  Grevenmacher.  Orders  were 
issued  that  four  of  the  units,  which  were  located  in  the  direc- 
tion of  this  new  advance,  reach  their  final  destinations  Decem- 
ber 18,^^  and  that  Tuesday  afternoon  the  Division  Com- 
mander made  a  personal  reconnaissance  of  the  region  as  far 
as  Diekirch,  Colmar-Berg,  Mersch,  and  Larochette  with  a 
view  to  ascertaining  what  facilities  for  billets  were  offered. ^^ 

On  Wednesday,  December  18,  the  Engineer  Regiment, 
the  Field  Signal  Battalion  and  the  Train  Headquarters  and 
Military  Police  moved  from  their  former  positions  to  Meder- 
nach,  Heffingen,  and  Diekirch  respectively,  while  the  rest  of 


268  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  division  remained  in  its  billets,  well  sheltered  from  the 
deluge  of  rain  which  continued  throughout  the  day  and  night. ^^ 
Having  acquired  the  habit,  as  it  were,  of  being  transferred 
from  one  corps  or  army  to  another,  the  passing  of  the  33rd 
Division  from  the  Second  Army  Reserve  to  the  Vlth  Corps, 
which  took  place  at  noon  that  day,*'*^  scarcely  excited  comment. 
Orders  were  issued  for  a  general  movement  of  all  three 
brigades  next  day,  followed  on  December  20  by  the  march  of 
the  66th  Brigade  and  Division  Machine  Gun  Battalion  to 
their  ultimate  destinations.^^  The  principal  communication 
received  that  day  from  higher  authority  was  a  telegram  to  the 
Commanding  General  of  the  33rci  Division  from  the  Chief  of 
Staff  of  the  Second  Army,  the  date  of  which,  December  16, 
1918,  plainly  showed  delay  in  transmission.  It  ran  as  fol- 
lows: 

15.15  hours  period  Number  339  G-3  period  Instruc- 
tions will  be  issued  you  shortly  assigning  to  your  Division  an 
area  for  guard  and  police  comma  including  the  portion  of  the 
American  zone  within  the  Duchy  of  Luxembourg  north  of  the 
line  Remich  to  Redange  both  inclusive  period  It  is  desired 
that  your  Division  be  held  within  that  area  pending  further 
instructions  as  to  billeting  zone  to  be  assigned  you  period 
Third  Army  reports  your  headquarters  are  at  Grevenmacher 
period  Esch  is  within  billeting  area  assigned  to  Fifth  Division 
and  is  not  available  for  your  Division  period     Acknowledge 

Heintzelman.^2 

The  miserable  weather  of  the  preceding  days  continued 
throughout  Thursday,  December  19,  when  the  major  portion 
of  the  33rd  Division  advanced  into  the  northern  part  of  the 
Grand  Duchy  of  Luxembourg  and  occupied  the  region  where 
it  was  destined  to  spend  four  months.  The  Division  Head- 
quarters were  installed  at  Diekirch,  which  was  likewise  occu- 
pied by  the  Headquarters  Troop,  the  108th  Field  Signal  Bat- 
talion, the  108th  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police — 
the  latter  having  arrived  the  day  before — and  by  the  T 08th 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  269 

Sanitary  Train.  The  65th  Infantry  Brigade  was  located  a 
short  distance  farther  west,  Its  headquarters  being  estabhshed 
at  Ettelbruck,  about  three  kilometers  from  DIeklrch,  while 
farther  east  Medernach  was  occupied  by  the  108th  Engineers 
and  Remlch  by  the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade.  In  the 
territory  adjacent  to  Remlch  was  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade 
and  at  Canach  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  neither  of 
which  made  any  movement  that  day.^^  The  march  was  devoid 
of  any  unusual  feature  and,  Indeed,  the  only  event  of  special 
Importance  that  Thursday  was  the  brief  visit  of  Lieutenant 
General  Bullard,  commanding  the  Second  Army,  who  reached 
DIeklrch  within  an  hour  of  General  Bell's  arrival,  held  a  con- 
ference with  him,  and  expressed  his  approval  of  the  disposi- 
tions which  had  been  made  for  the  occupation  of  the  area.^^ 

The  movement  of  the  33rd  Division  Into  the  DIeklrch 
area  terminated  Friday,  December  20,  1918,  the  various  ele- 
ments of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade  reaching  their  destina- 
tions'^^ and  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  resuming  its  advance, 
which  carried  It  from  Remlch  to  the  region  surrounding 
Schonfels,  General  Wolf's  P.  C.  being  established  at  the 
Chateau  de  Meysembourg.^^  The  southern  part  of 
the  duchy  was  occupied  by  the  5th  Division,  with  head- 
quarters in  the  city  of  Luxembourg,  and,  as  reciprocal 
action  between  the  two  commands  was  essential  to  carry  out 
the  Instructions  from  higher  authority.  Major  General  Han- 
son E.  Ely  motored  to  DIeklrch  for  a  conference  with  General 
Bell  and  lunched  with  him  that  day.^'^  Two  important  com- 
munications were  received  from  the  Second  Army;  one  directed 
the  requisite  precautions  to  quell  any  disturbances  which  might 
arise,  especially  in  the  neighborhood  of  Echternach,*^^  and  the 
other  instructed  General  Bell  to  assume  command  of  the  Vlth 
Army  Corps.*^'-^  Frequent  requests  for  food  on  the  part  of 
civilians  had  already  caused  the  Issuance  of  orders  prohibiting 


270  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

supplies  being  given  to  them  in  view  of  the  agreement  between 
the  French  and  American  authorities.  There  was,  apparently, 
no  abatement  in  these  requests,  so  that  definite  action  was 
taken  by  Brigadier  General  Moseley,  G-4  of  the  American 
Expeditionary  Force,  and  his  specific  instructions  were  pub- 
lished to  the  33rd  Division  in  General  Order  No.  152  on 
December  20.'0 

From  December  21  until  the  last  day  of  the  year  the 
troops  were  given  as  much  rest  as  possible  and  their  activities 
were  confined  to  the  ordinary  routine  duties,  a  thorough  clean- 
ing of  all  equipment,  and  such  training  as  was  prescribed.'''^ 
As  a  matter  of  fact,  beginning  with  Christmas  a  respite  of 
seven  days  was  enjoyed,  in  conformity  with  instructions  from 
the  Second  Army. '^-  On  December  21  General  Bell  proceeded 
to  Saizerals  to  assume  command  of  the  Vlth  Corps,  but  re- 
turned for  a  few  hours  two  days  later'^^  and  reported  by  wire 
to  the  Army  Commander  that  the  situation  In  the  region  of 
Echternach  was  well  in  hand  and  that  no  trouble  need  be 
apprehended  there.  The  response  made  that  day  merely 
called  his  attention  to  the  orders  from  General  Headquarters 
requiring  him  to  "stand  ready  to  suppress  any  disorders  in  that 
vicinity  should  they  occur. "''^^  General  Bell's  tenure  of  office 
as  Corps  Commander  was  decidedly  brief,  being  cut  short  by 
a  telegram  on  December  24  announcing  that  it  had  been 
decided  at  General  Headquarters  that  "no  Corps  Commander 
will  be  designated"  and  that  the  Vlth  Corps  would  accord- 
ingly function  under  the  immediate  command  of  Lieutenant 
General  Bullard  pending  the  appointment  of  a  corps  com- 
mander by  General  Headquarters.'''^ 

Christmas  was  a  joyous  day  for  the  officers  and  men  of 
the  33rd  Division,  who  found  themselves  established  In 
unusually  comfortable  billets  in  an  interesting  country, 
among    people    who    showed    remarkable    friendliness.      On 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  271 

December  26  it  was  visited  by  Lieutenant  General  Bullard, 
who  was  accompanied  by  his  Aide-de-Camp  and  by  Colonel 
Edgar  T.  Collins,  chief  of  staff  of  the  Vlth  Corps.'^^  On  the 
following  day  orders  were  received  from  the  Second  Army 
directing  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  to  rejoin  the  33rd 
Division  and  detaching  the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  which 
was  instructed  to  join  the  28th  Division  in  the  area  of  Woin- 
vllle.^^  On  December  28,  Lieutenant  John  Pettit,  General 
Todd's  aide-de-camp,  arrived  from  Stenay  and  reported  the 
condition  of  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade;'^*  the  day  fol- 
lowing notification  was  received  that  the  movement  of  that 
brigade  had  been  delayed,'^"  and  on  December  31  General 
Todd  arrived  in  person  from  Stenay,  conferred  with  General 
Bell  respecting  the  billets  to  be  occupied  by  his  command  upon 
its  arrival,  and  reported  its  condition  in  detail. ^*^  That  same 
day  notification  was  received  of  the  reassignment  of  the  55th 
Field  Artillery  Brigade, ^^  and  the  Headquarters  of  the  Second 
Army  Issued  orders  detaching  it  from  the  33rd  Division  and 
directing  that  Its  movement  to  join  the  28th  Division  begin  on 
January  6,  while  the  delayed  movement  of  the  58th  Field 
Artillery  Brigade  was  to  commence  on  January  4.^^ 

The  opening  of  the  year  1919  found  the  units  of  the  33rd 
Division  occupying  the  positions  In  the  northern  part  of  the 
Grand  Duchy  of  Luxembourg,  where  they  were  destined  to 
remain  for  four  months. ^^  Certain  minor  changes  of  location 
were  subsequently  made  and  during  the  first  fortnight  of  Jan- 
uary important  movements  by  two  brigades  occurred,  but 
these  will  be  alluded  to  at  the  proper  tlme.^^ 

To  stimulate  interest  in  the  transport  of  the  various 
organizations  a  series  of  horse  shows  took  place,  beginning 
on  New  Year's  Day  with  an  excellent  exhibition  by  the  130th 
Infantry  at  Bettendorf.  The  following  day  Lieutenant  Gen- 
eral Bullard,  commanding  the  Second  Army,  paid  a  visit  to 


272  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

General  Bell,^^  and  two  days  later  announcements  were  made 
that  a  period  of  training  lasting  for  four  weeks  would  begin 
on  January  6  and  that  the  horse  transport  of  the  units  would 
be  subjected  to  a  succession  of  inspections  at  which  the 
animals,  leather,  vehicles,  and  equipment  would  be  marked 
according  to  their  merit  and  the  ratings  of  all  organizations 
subsequently  published,  the  purpose  being  to  bring  the  entire 
transport  of  the  division  to  the  highest  possible  standard  under 
the  stimulus  of  competition.^"  Indeed  the  month  of  January, 
1919,  was  characterized  by  a  number  of  inspections  either  by 
officers  of  the  division  or  by  others  from  the  Corps,  Army,  or 
General  Headquarters,  the  first  of  the  latter  category  being 
made  on  January  6  and  7  by  Colonels  James  B.  Gowen  and 
Lewis  W.  Cass  of  the  G— 5  (Training)  Section  of  General 
Headquarters.^^ 

On  January  4,  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  (Briga- 
dier General  Henry  D.  Todd,  Jr.)  began  its  march  from 
Stenay  to  rejoin  the  33rd  Division, ^^  from  which  it  had  been 
separated  since  the  departure  of  both  commands  from  Camp 
Logan,  Houston,  Texas,  in  May,  1918;  and  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  (Brigadier  General 
Oliver  L.  Spalding,  Jr.)  started  for  Woinvllle  to  join  the  28th 
Division. ^'■^  On  January  8  the  latter  had  left  the  division  area 
and  the  former  had  arrived, "°  although  it  was  not  until  Janu- 
ary 10  that  all  the  elements  of  General  Todd's  command 
reached  their  final  destinations  and  were  billeted  at  Schon- 
fels,  BIssen,  Lintgen,  Berschbach,  and  Tuntingen.'^^  The 
separation  of  eight  months  was  terminated  at  last,  to  the 
delight  of  both  commands,  and  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Bri- 
gade returned  to  its  own  with  an  enviable  reputation  for 
efficiency,  gallantry,  Initiative,  and  esprit  de  corps  acquired 
under  peculiarly  difficult  circumstances. 

On  January  8  an  official  announcement  was  received  con- 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  273 

taining  the  sad  news  of  the  death  of  Theodore  Roosevelt, 
former  president  of  the  United  States,  and  that  afternoon  full 
honors  were  paid  to  his  memory. ''- 

The  friendliness  manifested  by  the  inhabitants  of  Luxem- 
bourg toward  the  33rd  Division — partly  attributable,  no 
doubt,  to  an  appreciation  that  the  prompt  arrival  of  the  first 
American  troops  had  prevented  the  Grand  Duchy  from  being 
pillaged  indiscriminately  by  the  Germans  in  their  retreat — 
took  a  delightful  form  in  a  dance  given  by  the  people  of 
Diekirch  to  the  officers  of  the  division  in  the  Hotel  de 
I'Europe  at  Diekirch  on  the  evening  of  Thursday,  January  9. 
This  proved  to  be  a  most  enjoyable  affair,  and  was  the  pre- 
cursor of  many  other  dances  given  during  the  ensuing  weeks 
while  the  33rd  Division  remained  in  that  area.^^ 

On  January  11,  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  moved  from 
the  vicinity  of  Meysembourg  to  the  region  of  Echternach, 
where  its  headquarters  were  established.^*  So  far  as  the 
troops  were  concerned  the  month  of  January,  1919,  was 
largely  devoted  to  drill,  training,  and  special  rifle  instruction, 
varied  by  terrain  exercises  and  such  manoeuvres  as  the  wet 
weather  and  restricted  areas  not  under  cultivation  would  per- 
mit. Division  educational  schools  were  established  in  the 
picturesque  medieval  village  of  Vianden^^  and  the  courses 
were  largely  attended  by  officers  and  men.  Frequent  inspec- 
tions of  transport,  which  were  virtually  horse  shows,  were 
held  and  the  keenest  of  competition  was  excited  thereby,  each 
unit  exerting  every  possible  effort  to  attain  the  highest  rating. 
In  addition  to  the  division  theatrical  troupe,  similar  troupes 
were  organized  in  the  various  units  and  their  entertainments 
afforded  abundant  diversion  and  amusement  to  officers  and 
men  alike. ^"^ 

The  closing  days  of  the  first  fortnight  in  January  were 
marked  by  the  receipt  of   five   telegrams    from   the   Chief   of 

(18) 


274  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Staff  of  the  Vlth  Corps  bearing  upon  certain  conditions  then 
existing  in  Luxembourg;  but,  inasmuch  as  they  dealt  mainly 
with  the  internal  politics  of  the  Grand  Duchy,  they  are  not 
germane  to  a  purely  military  history  and  will  not,  accordingly, 
be  inserted  here. 

During  the  last  fortnight  in  January,  1919,  interest  was 
centered  principally  in  the  subject  of  decorations  awarded  to 
officers  and  men  of  the  33rd  Division.  Orders  were  issued  on 
January  19  directing  the  following  soldiers  to  report  to  the 
Adjutant  General  at  General  Headquarters  on  or  before  Jan- 
uary 25  to  receive  the  Medal  of  Honor  : 

First  Sergeant  Johannes  S.  Anderson,  Company  B,  132nd 
Infantry, 

First  Sergeant  Sidney  G.  Gumpertz,  Company  C,  132nd 
Infantry, 

Sergeant  Willie  Sandling,  Company  A,   132nd  Infantry, 
Private  Berger  Loman,  Company  H,  132nd  Infantry, 
Private  Clayton  K.  Slack,  Company  D,   124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion."^ 

These  orders  were  published  to  the  entire  command  that 
day.»8 

The  same  day  was  also  notable  for  the  arrival  of  Briga- 
dier General  C.  M.  Wagstaff  of  the  British  Expeditionary 
Forces,  who  had  been  delegated  to  present  the  British  decora- 
tions awarded  by  the  King  of  England  to  certain  officers  and 
men  of  the  131st  Infantry  for  their  gallantry  at  Chipilly  Ridge 
and  Gressaire  Wood  on  August  9,  1918,  when  the  attack  of 
•that  regiment  penetrated  the  German  line  in  the  valley  of  the 
Somme  and  gained  the  first  noteworthy  success  in  the  great 
British  offensive.  He  arrived  about  noon  at  the  Division 
Headquarters,  where  the  division  and  brigade  commanders 
were  awaiting  him,  lunched  with  General  Bell,  visited  several 
of  the  units,  and  dined  with  the  Division  Commander,  Gener- 
als Todd,  Wolf,  and  King  being  invited  to  meet  him. 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  275 

On  Monday,  January  20,  at  10  A.M.  at  the  village 
Larochette,  General  Wagstaff  inspected  the  131st  Infantry, 
which  was  formed  on  three  sides  of  the  principal  square.  The 
inspection  over,  the  men  who  were  to  receive  the  decorations 
were  drawn  up  in  line  in  front  of  the  regimental  colors  and 
were  addressed  by  General  Wagstaff.  In  an  extremely  grace- 
ful speech,  he  expressed  to  them  the  thanks  of  the  King  who 
had  delegated  him  to  confer  the  decorations  in  token  of  His 
Majesty's  appreciation  for  what  they  had  done.  Colonel  San- 
born was  then  decorated  with  the  Distinguished  Service  Order 
and  Second  Lieutenant  George  W.  Sherwood  with  the  Mili- 
tary Cross;  to  three  men  the  Distinguished  Conduct  Medal 
was  given^^  and  fifteen  others  received  the  Military  Medal. ^"^ 
At  the  termination  of  the  ceremony.  General  Wagstaff  took 
leave  of  General  Bell  and  the  officers  accompanying  him  and, 
as  his  automobile  drove  away,  the  band  of  the  131st  Infantry 
struck  up  "Auld  Lang  Syne"  in  memory  of  the  days  v/hen 
the  33rd  Division  had  fought  in  the  valley  of  the  Somme  side 
by  side  with  its  British  friends  and  comrades  in  arms.^^^ 

The  last  week  in  January,  1919,  was  chiefly  noteworthy 
for  the  issuance  of  a  corrected  copy  just  received  from  Gen- 
eral Headquarters  of  General  Pershing's  thanks  to  the  troops 
which  had  fought  under  his  command  ;^^^  during  the  same 
period  orders  came  from  the  Headquarters  of  the  Vlth  Corps 
defining  its  area  in  Luxembourg  as  well  as  the  areas  assigned 
to  the  33rd,  5th,  and  7th  Divisions  and  to  the  French  11th 
Army  Corps. ^^^ 

For  the  troops  the  month  of  February,  1919,  was 
almost  the  counterpart  of  January  so  far  as  drills,  training, 
and  amusement  were  concerned. ^°'*  Terrain  exercises  were 
held  by  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  on  February  6  and  by  the 
65th  Infantry  Brigade  next  day,  by  the  entire  division  on  Feb- 
ruary  13,  by  the   129th,   130th,   and   131st  Infantry  a  week 


276  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

later,  and  by  the  132nd  on  February  21.^*^^  The  third  period 
of  training  prescribed  by  General  Headquarters  began  Febru- 
ary 3.^^^  Two  weeks  later  announcement  was  made  that 
tactical  walks  would  be  substituted  for  brigade  terrain  exer- 
cises,^"" and  on  February  27  the  schedule  of  training  for 
March  was  Issued. ^^'^ 

Interest  in  schools  was  greatly  stimulated  during  the 
month,  until  the  number  of  officers  and  men  detached  from  the 
units  and  sent  to  schools  of  various  sorts  either  within  the 
division  or  elsewhere  reached  very  large  proportions.  Men- 
tion has  already  been  made  of  the  opening  on  January  13  of 
the  schools  embraced  In  the  Division  Training  Centre  at 
Vianden.^"''  On  February  1 1  announcement  was  made  of  the 
conditions  under  which  officers  and  men  would  be  permitted 
to  enter  French  and  British  universities^^"  and  a  considerable 
number  hastened  to  avail  themselves  of  the  opportunity  thus 
offered.  On  February  25  the  scheme  of  an  Infantry  training 
school  for  enlisted  men  of  the  ammunition,  supply,  and  sani- 
tary trains  and  of  the  transport  sections  of  such  of  those  units 
as  were  equipped  with  animal  transport  was  made  known  to 
the  command. ^^^  Three  days  later  two  telegrams  from  Gen- 
eral Headquarters  were  published,  one  relating  to  the  Ameri- 
can Expeditionary  Forces  universities  for  officers  and  men 
established  at  Beaune,  Cote  d'Or,  the  other  respecting  officers 
and  men  qualified  to  act  as  Instructors  in  these  institutions,  and 
announcement  was  made  that  all  applications  either  to  attend 
these  universities  or  to  act  as  Instructors  must  be  delivered  to 
G-3  by  noon  on  March  4.^^-  The  number  who  made  applica- 
tion further  depleted  many  units,  capping  the  climax  which  had 
been  reached  on  February  22  when,  pursuant  to  instructions 
from  the  Vlth  Corps,  28  officers  and  29  enlisted  men,  all  but 
one  sergeants  or  corporals,  were  ordered  to  report  on  Febru- 
ary 24  to  General  Bjornstad  at  Menll-la-Tour,  France,  for  a 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  277 

course  of  instruction  at  Royaumeix,  Meurthe-et-Moselle,  in  a 
new  species  of  game  called  "Doughboy.""^ 

The  month  of  February,  1919,  was  characterized  by  a 
number  of  other  events  of  sufficient  importance  to  merit 
chronicling.  On  February  1  a  report  made  on  January  4  by 
Major  M.  B.  Southwick,  commanding  the  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  on  the  subject  of  the  condition  of  the  motor 
transport  issued  to  his  battalion,  was  forwarded  to  the  Army 
Commander  by  General  Bell;  in  his  indorsement  to  this  report 
the  latter  gave  a  succinct  but  striking  account  of  the  motor 
transport  of  the  division,  pointing  out  the  difficulties  encoun- 
tered in  his  constant  endeavor  to  keep  it  in  the  best  possible 
state. ^^^  Since  good  motor  transport  is  vital  to  proper 
functioning  of  any  command  in  the  field,  the  reader  who  is 
interested  in  this  extremely  important  auxiliary  will  find  both 
the  report  and  the  indorsement  given  in  full  in  appendix  38. 

On  February  3,  Major  M.  B.  Southwick  was  desig- 
nated as  Assistant  Chief  of  Staff,  G-2),  to  replace  Major  War- 
ing, who  had  been  ordered  to  the  United  States  for  dis- 
charge.^^^  Therewas  also  published  to  the  command  atelegram 
from  General  Cronkhite  expressing  his  congratulations  on  the 
excellence  of  the  theatrical  troupe  of  the  33rd  Division  and 
requesting  that  the  appreciation  of  the  Headquarters  of  the 
Vlth  Corps  be  conveyed  to  the  members  of  the  troupe  for  the 
"splendid  performance"  given  at  Villerupt;  to  this  the  Divi- 
sion Commander  added  his  own  felicitations.^^"  On  February 
4  General  Bell  assumed  command  of  the  Vlth  Corps,  which 
he  retained  two  weeks  while  General  Cronkhite  was  absent  on 
leave, ^^'^  On  February  7  orders  were  issued  by  that  corps 
defining  the  modifications  in  its  area  and  in  that  of  the  33rd 
Division,  which  were  to  go  into  effect  two  days  later. ^^^ 

So  successful  had  been  the  results  obtained  from  the 
competition  between  the  various  units  in  the  rating  of  their 


278  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

animal  transport^^^  that  the  Division  Commander  resolved  to 
apply  the  same  method  to  the  troops  themselves  with  a  view 
to  attaining  the  highest  possible  standard  in  their  appearance, 
the  condition  of  their  equipment,  and  their  knowledge  of  the 
School  of  the  Soldier.  To  that  end  instructions  were  issued  on 
February  12^^°  for  the  necessary  inspections  and  for  the 
system  of  marking  to  be  used.^-^ 

On  February  20  announcement  was  made  that  the  short- 
age in  hay  had  become  critical,  since  there  was  only  a  week's 
supply  in  all  France,  and  that  the  hay  rations  would  accord- 
ingly be  reduced  one-half.^--  Three  days  later  the  following 
letter  and  the  indorsement  by  which  It  was  forwarded  were 
published  to  the  division  "in  recognition  of  Its  work  In  the 
Verdun  Sector  while  It  formed  a  part  of  the  Ilird  (American) 
Corps:" 

Headquarters  Second  Army 
American  Expeditionary  Forces 
Office  of  Commanding  General 

18th  February,  1919. 
From :       Lieutenant  General  R.  L.  Bullard, 
To:  Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr.,  Command- 

ing 33rd  Division 
(Through  Commanding  General,  VI  Corps). 
Subject:  Commendation  of  the  Commanding  General,  33rd 
Division,  and  of  his  Division. 
1.  I  desire  to  make  of  record  the  fact  that  as  Com- 
manding General  of  the  III  Corps  In  the  battle  of  the  Meuse- 
Argonne  I  repeatedly  took  occasion  between  September  26, 
and  October  7,  to  commend  In  high  terms  your  own  command 
of  the  33rd  Division  and  the  valiant  and  efficient  conduct  of 
that  Division  in  the  great  battle  in  which  you  were  taking 
part  at  that  time.  Every  duty,  every  mission  assigned  to  you 
and  to  your  Division  was  executed  with  zeal,  skill,  smoothness 
and  valor  that  deserved  the  highest  commendation.  I  so 
stated  to  you  at  that  time,  as  you  will  remember,  but  you  and 
your  Division  on  October  7  were  unexpectedly  to  me  detached 
from  the  III  Corps.    I  then  expected  and  hoped  that  in  a  few 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  279 

days  you  would  be  returned  to  my  Command  and  that  I  would 
have  opportunity  then  to  commend  the  conduct  of  your  Divi- 
sion in  this  battle;  but  I  myself  was  separated  from  this  Com- 
mand unexpectedly  a  few  days  later  and  this  opportunity  thus 
never  came.    I  take  it  now. 

I  would  appreciate  it,  if  you  will  communicate  this  to  your 
Division. 

R.  L.  BULLARD^ 

Lieut.  General,  U.  S.  A., 
RLB  :S  Commanding  2nd  Army.^^* 

201.1-Commendations.  1st  Ind. 

Hdqrs.  VI  Army  Corps.  APO  783,  American  E.  F., 

20  February  1919,— 
To  the  Commanding  General,  33  rd  Division,  American  E.F. 
1.     It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  forward  this  acknowl- 
edgment of  the  service  rendered  by  your  division,  knowing 
that  the  commendation  has  been  justly  earned. 

The  esprit  which  enabled  the  accomplishment  of  such 
marked  success  in  active  service,  still  maintains  the  division, 
in  time  of  peace,  at  a  standard  of  efficiency  excelled  by  none. 

A.  Cronkhite, 

Major  General,  U.  S.  A., 

Commanding. 

Two  days  later  the  following  communication  was  made 
known  to  the  command : 

General  Headquarters 
American  Expeditionary  Forces 

G-5 
HRR 
France,  February  17th,   1919. 
15924-A  139 

From:      The  Adjutant  General,  American  E.  F., 
To :  The  Commanding  General,  2nd  Army, 

Subject:  Condition  of  the  animals  and  transport  of  the  33rd 
Division. 
1.  In  connection  with  a  general  inspection  and  super- 
vision of  the  instruction  of  the  divisions  of  the  A.  E.  F.  in 
matters  pertaining  to  the  care  of  animals  and  the  upkeep  of 
leather  equipment  and  the  transport,  the  Staff  Officer  at  these 
Headquarters  charged  with  this  duty,  reports  as  follows : 


280  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

"The  33rd  Division  was  inspected  December  fifth.  There 
was  a  well  organized  system  of  supervision  of  the  care  of 
animals,  a  sympathetic  attention  to  their  every  need  in  such 
matters  as  grooming,  feeding,  watering,  shelter,  shoeing  and 
standings,  which  began  with  the  Division  Commander  and 
extended  through  all  the  grades  down  to  the  riders  and  driv- 
ers. The  Division  Commander  was  familiar  with  every  detail 
of  this  important  phase  of  instruction  and  administration  in 
his  command,  very  especially  with  the  efforts  of  all  concerned 
to  ameliorate  conditions  and  the  difficulties  encountered  by 
them.  Great  credit  is  due  him  personally  for  the  splendid 
state  of  affairs  in  his  Division  on  that  date,  (December  5th, 
1918) — which  stood  as  a  perfect  model  of  the  standards  that 
ought  to  exist  in  these  matters  throughout  the  army." 

2.  The  regiment  inspected  was  the  130th  Infantry, 
Colonel  John  V.  Clinnin,  Commanding. 

By  Command  of  General  Pershing: 

J.   M.  WOOLFOLK, 

Adjutant  General. ^-^ 

On  Thursday,  February  27,  1919,  the  horse  show  of  the 
33rd  Division  took  place  in  the  principal  square  of  DIekirch, 
beginning  at  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  In  spite  of  the  cold 
and  a  downpour  of  rain,  the  affair  was  a  remarkable  success, 
and  was  rendered  doubly  interesting  by  the  presence  of  Her 
Royal  Highness,  the  Grand  Duchess  of  Luxembourg,  and  a 
number  of  members  of  her  immediate  suite,  who  were  re- 
ceived with  full  honors,  conducted  by  Colonel  Henry  A.  Allen 
of  the  108th  Engineers  from  their  automobiles  through  an 
avenue  formed  by  the  Guard  of  Honor  to  the  place  where 
General  Bell,  accompanied  by  Generals  Todd  and  King  and 
certain  officers  of  his  staff,  welcomed  them  and  escorted  them 
to  their  boxes.  Somewhat  later  they  were  followed  by  the 
Corps  Commander,  the  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  Second  Army, 
General  Bullard's  Aide-de-Camp,  and  Colonel  Henry  R.  Rich- 
mond, from  General  Headquarters.^-^  The  horse  show  was 
managed  with  exceptional  ability  by  Lieutenant  Colonel-Frank 


x..*^ 


C  I  M  I IR  I  S-I()R(;i:S    ROAD 


6^'.  ^ 


^ 


7^' 


r?^t- 


■>"t4ri 


rORt.ES 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  281 

R.  Schwengel  of  the  122nd  Field  Artillery  and  the  officers 
acting  under  his  supervision,^-"  the  awards  of  the  judges  re- 
ceived universal  approval  and  the  affair  was  enlivened  by  music 
furnished  by  combined  bands  and  trumpeters  of  the  three  bri- 
gades massed  in  different  places  outside  the  ring.  At  the  con- 
clusion of  the  last  class,  the  "Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr., 
Trophy,"  a  handsome  miniature  bronze  statue  of  Napoleon, 
given  for  the  best  team  of  six  horses  shown  to  a  fourgon,  was 
formally  presented  by  the  Division  Commander  to  Colonel 
Foreman  as  the  representative  of  the  Headquarters  Company 
of  the  122nd  Field  Artillery  by  which  it  had  been  won.^-"  The 
brigade  bands  were  then  massed  in  front  of  the  boxes  and 
played  the  national  anthem,  while  the  Grand  Duchess,  escorted 
by  General  Bell  and  General  Cronkhite,  proceeded  through 
the  lines  of  the  Guard  of  Honor  to  the  adjoining  street  where 
her  automobile  was  awaiting.^-^ 

The  drills  and  training  of  the  troops  during  the  month  of 
March,  1919,  repeated  in  large  part  the  experiences  of  Febru- 
^j-y  129  Xhere  were  a  number  of  terrain  exercises,  the  prin- 
cipal one,  in  which  the  entire  division  participated,  taking 
place  on  March  28.^^^  The  matter  of  schools  was  paramount 
throughout  the  month  and  formed  the  subject  of  a  large  num- 
ber of  circulars  and  orders.  On  March  4  Major  George  E. 
Roth,  of  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  Headquarters,  was 
appointed  Division  Education  Officer  and  as  such  assumed 
charge  of  the  33rd  Division  Educational  Centre  at  Vianden.^^^ 
Every  Saturday  a  detail  of  enlisted  men  was  sent  to  the  Divi- 
sion Infantry  School  at  Redingen,^^^  where  a  sanitary  school 
was  in  addition  inaugurated  on  March  17,^^^  and  a  riding  and 
driving  school  was  established  at  Dommeldigen  under  the 
supervision  of  the  commander  of  the  Headquarters  Troop. ^-^^ 
There  were  post  and  division  schools,  a  motor  mechanics' 
school,  a  school  for  illiterates, ^^^  and  so  many  others  that  the 


282  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

division  was  rapidly  coming  to  resemble  an  English  university 
in  the  number  and  variety  of  Its  schools.  The  attendance  was 
not  confined  to  schools  within  the  division;  on  March  10,  148 
men  were  sent  to  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  Univer- 
sity at  Beaune,  Cote  d'Or,  France,  as  students,  followed  by 
one  officer  and  five  men  as  instructors;  a  week  later  a  number 
of  officers  left  for  the  Second  Army  School  for  the  Care  and 
Management  of  Animals;  and  at  the  end  of  the  month  other 
officers  were  sent  to  the  Army  Artillery  School  at  Valda- 
hon.i^<^ 

Great  numbers  of  leaves  to  enlisted  men — especially  the 
so-called  "Class  C"  leave^^'^  of  three  days  in  Paris,  exclusive 
of  travel — continued  to  be  granted. ^^^  Every  effort  was  made 
to  stimulate  entertainment,^^^  and  the  division  theatrical 
troupe  achieved  a  notable  success  In  Paris,  where  It  played  for 
several  weeks  to  houses  crowded  to  overflowing.  On  March 
20,  the  Vlth  Corps  held  a  horse  show  in  the  city  of  Luxem- 
bourg at  which  the  33rd  Division  carried  off  the  honors,  win- 
ning more  prizes  than  the  5th  or  7th  Division  or  the  Corps 
Troops. "°  The  horse  show  of  the  Second  Army  had  to  be 
called  off  on  account  of  the  transfer  of  the  divisions  composing 
that  army,^"*^  but  on  March  27  the  33rd  Division  held  a  very 
successful  motor  transport  show  at  Dieklrch.^^- 

A  number  of  events  occurred  during  the  month  which 
deserve  special  mention.  On  the  first.  Information  was  re- 
ceived by  telegraph  from  the  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  Vlth  Corps 
that.  In  conformity  with  Marshal  Foch's  arrangements,  the 
entire  Belgian  territory  embraced  between  the  British  zone  on 
the  north,  the  American  zone  on  the  south,  the  Luxembourg 
frontier  on  the  east,  and  the  French  frontier  on  the  west  would 
be  turned  over  to  the  Belgian  army,  thus  bringing  that  army 
and  the  American  forces  into  juxtaposition. ^^-"^  On  March  4, 
Lieutenant  General   Bullard   arrived   for   a   conference  with 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  283 

General  Bell,  spent  the  night  at  DIekirch,  and  left  next  day  for 

Toul.^^^    On  March  9,  the  following  letter  was  published  to 

the  division  •}^^ 

Headquarters  Second  Army 

American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

Office  Commanding  General. 

3  March,  1919. 
From:       Commanding  General,  Second  Army. 
To:  Commanding  General,  33rd  Division. 

Subject:     Horse  Show. 

1.  The  reports  that  have  come  to  me  of  the  splendid 
success  of  your  Divisional  Horse  Show  at  Diekirch  last  Thurs- 
day, 27th  February,  have  given  me  the  greatest  pleasure. 

2.  Please  accept  my  congratulations  for  yourself  and 
all  officers  and  men  of  your  Command,  not  only  on  the  zeal 
and  efficiency  with  which  the  show  was  managed  and  the  gen- 
erally creditable  appearance  and  high  class  of  all  exhibits  and 
exhibitors,  but  also  on  the  magnificent  appearance  of  your 
chosen  Guard  of  Honor  and  the  military  sma^-tness  of  all  con- 
cerned. The  show  was  in  itself  proof  of  thorough  and  far- 
seeing  plans  well  made  and  of  a  most  praiseworthy  attention 
to  details. 

3.  It  was  truly  a  task  well  done  and  my  only  regret  is 
that  I  could  not  have  been  personally  present. 

(Signed)      R.  L.  Bullard 
Lieutenant  General,  U.  S.  A. 

On  the  evening  of  Monday,  March  10,^^*^  boxing  and 
wrestling  matches  for  the  championship  of  the  Vlth  Corps 
were  held  at  Esch  and  a  large  number  of  officers  and  men  took 
advantage  of  the  special  train  provided  to  carry  them  to 
Esch.^"*'^  On  March  12  the  ratings  of  the  various  units  as 
established  by  the  inspections  of  their  horse  transport  were 
announced,  the  highest  being  that  of  the  33rd  Military  Police 
Company,  with  a  total  of  279.48  out  of  a  possible  300.^^8  The 
same  day  unit  commanders  were  directed  to  report  when  all 
precautions  had  been  taken  to  prevent  explosives  of  any  sort 
from  coming  into  the  possession  of  unauthorized  persons. ^^* 


284  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

On  March  13,  orders  were  issued  that  all  historical  documents 
no  longer  needed  be  forwarded  through  channels  to  the  His- 
torical Section  at  General  Headquarters;  similar  action  was  to 
be  taken  in  the  case  of  one  copy  of  all  histories  of  regiments  or 
other  organizations,  the  writing  of  which,  it  was  stated,  was 
encouraged  by  the  Division  Commander,  and  it  was  suggested 
that  units  which  had  not  already  undertaken  such  a  work  do  so 
at  an  early  date.^^° 

Awards  of  decorations — American,  British,  and  French 
— to  officers  and  men  of  the  33rd  Division  had  been  made  in 
constantly  increasing  numbers  during  the  months  of  January, 
February,  and  March,  and  the  presentation  of  Medals  of 
Honor  to  five  men  at  Chaumont  on  February  10  has  already 
been  mentioned. ^^^  On  March  17,  the  Division  Commander 
officially  published  four  letters  from  the  Adjutant  General 
containing  the  citations  upon  which  the  Medal  of  Honor  had 
been  awarded  to  the  following  men,  Captain  George  H.  Mal- 
lon,  132nd  Infantry,  Corporal  Ralyn  Hill,  Company  H,  129th 
Infantry,  Corporal  Jake  Allex,  Company  H,  131st  Infantry, 
and  Corporal  Thomas  A,  Pope,  Company  E,  131st  Infantry, 
and  announced  that  on  that  date  nine  Medals  of  Honor  had 
been  granted  to  members  of  the  33rd  Division. ^^- 

The  last  event  of  importance  during  March  was  the  an- 
nouncement made  on  March  29  that  the  division,  as  part  of 
the  Vlth  Corps,  would  be  transferred  to  the  Third  Army  on 
the  first  of  April. ^^^ 

The  month  of  April,  1919,  was  noteworthy  for  a  num- 
ber of  events  of  vital  interest  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
33rd  Division.  On  the  last  day  of  March  the  troops  began 
their  final  period  of  training  under  the  conditions  prescribed 
by  General  Headquarters  ;^^^  on  April  16  a  divisional  competi- 
tion in  rifle  and  pistol  shooting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  285 

developing  individual  entrants  for  the  American  Expedition- 
ary Forces  matches  i^"^-^  on  the  following  day  a  competition 
between  infantry  platoons  from  the  65th  and  66th  Infantry 
Brigades  took  place  at  the  rifle  range  of  the  130th  Infantry  at 
Erpeldingen;  machine  gun  matches  were  held  in  each  infantry 
brigade  and  in  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion;  and  in  ad- 
dition individuals  were  selected  from  each  infantry  regiment 
to  compete  at  the  automatic  rifle  match  at  Le  Mans.^-^" 

As  in  the  preceding  months,  the  various  schools  were  the 
object  of  much  attention.  On  April  1,  announcement  was 
made  of  the  courses  in  mechanical  trades  given  at  different 
plants  under  the  supervision  of  the  Services  of  Supply;  the 
next  day  the  status  of  the  post  schools  were  reported  to  G-^ 
of  the  Vlth  Corps;  on  April  3  a  telegram  was  sent  to  the 
Third  Army  specifying  that  there  were  three  hundred  appli- 
cants for  the  courses  in  mechanical  trades  at  service  of  supply 
plants;  on  April  5  announcement  was  made  that  instruction 
in  the  preparation  of  food  would  be  given  to  mess  sergeants 
and  cooks — a  thing  sadly  needed  in  the  American  army;^^"^ 
and  on  April  7  the  scope  of  the  Division  Education  Office  was 
extended  and  applications  were  solicited  from  officers  and  men 
desiring  employment  in  civil  life  upon  their  discharge  from 
military  service. ^^^  On  April  8,  however,  orders  were  sud- 
denly issued  directing  the  dissolution  of  the  Division  Training 
Centre  at  Vianden,  the  Sanitary  School  at  Redingen,  and  the 
Riding  and  Driving  School  at  Dommeldingen  on  the  following 
day,  and  the  discontinuance  of  the  Infantry  Training  School 
at  Redingen  on  April  10.^^^ 

During  the  course  of  the  month  several  important  move- 
ments of  troops  occurred.  On  April  3,  the  272nd  Military 
Police  Company,  having  been  detached  from  the  Vlth  Corps 
on  March  31,  left  the  division  area  by  truck  for  Longwy, 
where  its  arrival  was  reported  to  the  Provost  Marshal  of  the 


286  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Second  Army.^^"  The  receipt,  on  April  4,  of  a  notification 
that  the  Headquarters  of  the  Vlth  Corps  would  occupy  Ech- 
ternach  caused  the  evacuation  of  that  place  by  the  headquar- 
ters of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  which  was  transferred  to 
Dommeldingen  at  3  P.M.  on  April  7,  while  the  1st  Battalion  of 
the  108th  Engineers  and  the  Engineer  Train  were  moved 
from  Echternach  to  Remich,  with  the  exception  of  Company 
B,  which  was  ordered  to  Steinsel.  Companies  B  and  C  of  the 
131st  Infantry  likewise  evacuated  Wasserbillig  and  Greven- 
macher  and  were  billeted  in  or  near  Wormeldingen.  The 
130th  Ambulance  Company  was  directed  to  proceed  from 
Echternach  to  Steinsel  on  April  11,  but  a  notification,  re- 
ceived April  10,  that  the  transfer  of  the  Corps  Headquarters 
was  not  to  be  effected  caused  a  revocation  of  this  order. ^^^  On 
April  14,  seven  service  of  supply  units,  which  had  been  on 
duty  with  the  division,  were  detached  to  the  Third  Army,^^- 
but  three  days  later,  the  transfer  of  Mobile  Veterinary  Sec- 
tion 110  having  been  revoked  by  the  Third  Army,  it  was  in- 
structed to  rejoin  the  division  preparatory  to  returning  to  the 
United  States. ^^^  On  April  IS  came  a  telegram  from  the 
advanced  embarkation  section  containing  the  welcome  news 
that  the  movement  of  the  33rd  Division  to  Brest^^^  would 
commence  on  April  24.^^^ 

On  April  10,  orders  were  recevied  from  the  Third  Army 
transferring  the  33rd  Division  from  that  army  and  from  the 
Vlth  Corps  to  the  service  of  supply  on  April  12,  and  this  in- 
formation was  published  to  the  command  next  day,^*'^  together 
with  the  announcement  that  although  there  would  be  no 
cessation  in  the  training,  it  would  be  subordinated  to  the 
preparations  for  embarkation. ^'^'^  In  view  of  the  approaching 
departure,  dispositions  had  necessarily  to  be  taken  to  relieve 
the  detachments  guarding  various  dumps  of  ammunition  and 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  287 

other  material,  so  that  several  reports  were  made  and  orders 
issued  respecting  them.^*^^ 

During  the  month  the  decorations  awarded  to  officers 
and  men  of  the  division  formed  the  subject  of  keen  interest. 
On  the  morning  of  Sunday,  April  6,  General  Desticker,  first 
assistant  chief  of  staff  of  Marshal  Foch,  arrived  at  Diekirch 
and  formally  presented  the  Croix  de  Guerre  of  various  classes 
to  nine  officers  and  twenty-five  men  of  the  33rd  Division. ^^^ 
On  April  10  the  announcement  was  made  of  the  posthumous 
award  of  a  Distinguished  Service  Cross  to  Corporal  Victor  A. 
Cleveland,  Company  L,  130th  Infantry,  for  "extraordinary 
heroism  in  action  in  the  Bois-de-Chaume,  France,  October  12, 
1918,"  where  he  was  killed  in  the  endeavor  to  rescue  a 
wounded  officer.^""  On  April  16  the  Division  Commander 
published  the  War  Department  citations  whereby  Distin- 
guished Service  Crosses  were  granted  to  Captain  Fred  G. 
Givens,  Corporals  Herman  B.  Bartels  and  Vincenzo  Caserta 
of  Company  F,  and  Private  (first-class)  Elmer  J.  Kilcher  of 
Company  D,  all  of  the  130th  Infantry.^'^^ 

During  the  early  part  of  April,  there  was  distributed  to 
every  officer  and  man  a  printed  pamphlet  of  thirty-two  pages 
entitled  33rd  Division,  A.  E.  F.,  giving  in  condensed  form  the 
history  of  the  command^'^-  and  accompanied  by  a  short  intro- 
duction by  General  Bell.^"^^  During  the  course  of  the  month, ^'''^ 
the  Division  Commander  reviewed  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade 
at  Junglinster  on  April  9  and  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade  at 
Ettelbruck  on  the  following  day;^"^^  on  April  11,  the  VI th 
Corps  held  a  motor  show  at  Luxembourg,  in  which  the  33rd 
Division  carried  off  the  premier  honors  ;^'^''  and  at  the  Interna- 
tional Horse  Show,  which  formed  part  of  the  "Carnival" 
given  by  the  Third  Army  at  Coblenz,  Germany,  April  23-27, 
the  33rd — which  was    the   only   entrant   as    a    division — was 


288  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

awarded  second  place,  scoring  a  total  of  twenty-eight  points 
to  the  winner's  thirty-two. ^'^^ 

That  the  Commander-in-Chief  made  a  practice  of  inspect- 
ing and  reviewing  divisions  before  their  departure  for  the 
United  States  was  generally  known  among  all  the  troops  and 
in  February  it  was  ascertained  that  the  33rd  Division  was 
destined  to  follow  the  42nd  and  32nd  Divisions  to  the  port  of 
embarkation. ^'^^  Preparations  for  a  review  had  been  begun  on 
April  9^^*^  and  were  accordingly  well  under  way  when,  on  April 
16,  a  telegram  was  received  from  General  Headquarters  an- 
nouncing that  the  Commander-in-Chief  would  inspect  and 
review  the  33rd  Division  on  Monday,  April  21.^^"  The  final 
arrangements  were  completed  forty-eight  hours  before  his 
arrival,  a  day  later  than  originally  expected. 

This  event  was  one  of  the  notable  episodes  in  the  history 
of  the  33rd  Division.  On  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  April  22, 
1919,  at  Ettelbruck  in  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Luxembourg,  the 
Commander-in-Chief  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces 
in  France,  General  John  J.  Pershing,  reviewed  the  entire  33rd 
Division  in  the  presence  of  a  large  assembly;  among  the  spec- 
tators were  such  distinguished  personages  as  His  Royal  High- 
ness the  Crown  Prince  Leopold  of  Belgium,  the  Honorable 
Newton  D.  Baker,  secretary  of  war,  and  Major  General  Kep- 
pel-Bethel  of  the  British  Expeditionary  Forces.  The  troops 
presented  a  magnificent  appearance  and  excited  unusual  praise. 
At  the  termination  of  the  review,  the  Commander-in-Chief 
personally  presented  to  each  officer  and  man  the  decoration 
awarded  to  him.  To  Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr.,  the 
division  commander,  and  Brigadier  General  Paul  A.  Wolf, 
commanding  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  were  given  the  Dis- 
tinguished Service  Medal  ;i^^  to  Sergeant  Jake  Allex,  131st 
Infantry,  Sergeant  Ralyn  Hill,  129th  Infantry,  and  Corporal 
Thomas  A.  Pope,  the  coveted  Medal  of  Honor;  and  the  Dis- 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  289 

tinguished  Service  Cross  was  presented  to  twenty-two  officers 
and  eighty-one  enlisted  men.  During  this  presentation  Secre- 
tary Baker  strolled  about  the  command  inspecting  or  asking 
questions  of  various  officers  and  men.  At  the  conclusion  of 
the  ceremony,  General  Pershing  and  the  members  of  his  party 
left  for  Treves. 

Late  that  same  evening  General  Order  No.  50  was  issued, 
specifying  the  decorations  bestowed  and  the  name,  grade,  and 
organization  of  each  recipient.  It  also  announced  that  the 
British  Commander-in-Chief  had  awarded  the  Military  Medal 
to  two  officers  and  two  men  of  the  division;  that  the  Com- 
mander of  the  French  Armies  of  the  East  had  conferred  the 
Croix  de  Guerre  upon  three  officers  and  one  man;  that  His 
Majesty,  the  King  of  the  Belgians,  had  bestowed  the  Belgian 
Cross  (Chevalier  de  I'Ordre  de  la  Couronne)  upon  one 
officer;  and  that,  by  direction  of  the  Commander-in-Chief, 
streamers  would  be  placed  upon  the  colors  of  the  four  infantry 
regiments,  the  108th  Engineers,  the  three  machine  gun  bat- 
talions, the  108th  Field  Signal  Battalion,  and  the  three  regi- 
ments of  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade. ^^- 

That  the  Commander-in-Chief  had  found  conditions  to 

his  liking  is  attested  by  the  letter  that   he  wrote  next   day, 

which,  in  its  corrected  form,^^^  ran  as  follows: 

American  Expeditionary  Forces. 
Office  of  the  Commander-in-Chief. 

France,  April  23,  1919. 
Major  General  George  Bell, 
Commanding  33rd  Division, 
American  E.  F. 
My  dear  General  Bell: 

It  afforded  me  great  satisfaction  to  inspect  the  33rd  Divi- 
sion at  Ettelbruck  on  April  22nd,  and  to  extend  at  that  time, 
to  the  officers  and  men  of  your  command  my  congratulations 
on  their  fine  appearance  and  appreciation  of  their  splendid 
record  while  in  France. 

(19 


290  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

The  Division  has  had  an  interesting  and  varied  battle 
experience.  One  of  those  to  be  schooled  with  the  British 
Expeditionary  forces,  it  arrived  in  France  towards  the  end  of 
May,  1918,  where  it  trained  with  the  4th  Army.  Although, 
as  a  Division,  it  did  not  enter  the  line  here,  yet  the  majority  of 
the  organizations  had  hard  fighting  experience  before  they 
left  the  British  Sector.  On  July  4,  parts  of  the  131st  and 
132nd  Regiments  of  Infantry,  brigaded  with  Australian 
troops,  successfully  attacked  Hamel  and  the  Hamel  and  Vaire 
woods.  On  August  9,  the  131st  Infantry,  under  the  58th 
British  Division,  successfully  attacked  Chipilly  Ridge  and  the 
Gressaire  Woods,  an  operation  made  especially  difficult  by  the 
character  of  the  terrain.  Towards  the  end  of  August  the 
division  joined  the  First  American  Army  in  the  Toul  Sector, 
remaining  in  reserve  until  September  5th.  On  September 
10th,  it  relieved  a  French  Division  in  the  Blercourt  area, 
southwest  of  Verdun.  It  took  part  in  the  opening  of  the  great 
Meuse-Argonne  offensive,  capturing  the  Bois  de  Forges,  and 
occupying  the  sector  facing  the  Meuse  River.  Beginning  with 
October  8th,  it  participated  in  the  operations  east  of  the 
Meuse,  pressing  vigorous  attacks  on  the  11th,  12th,  13th  in 
the  vicinity  of  Consenvoie  and  the  Bois  de  Chaume  and  the 
Bois  de  Plat  Chene.  It  remained  astride  of  the  Meuse  until 
it  was  relieved  on  October  21st,  during  which  entire  period  it 
was  constantly  subjected  to  heavy  artillery  and  machine  gun 
fire  from  the  heights  of  the  west  bank,  and  was  continually  in 
action.  On  October  26th,  it  re-entered  the  line  in  the  Troyon 
Sector  where  it  took  part  in  the  attack  of  the  Second  Army, 
driving  the  enemy  from  the  towns  of  St.  Hilaire  and  Marche- 
ville  and  occupying  the  towns  of  Butgneville  and  Riaville.  The 
Division  was  advancing  when  hostilities  ended  with  the 
Armistice. 

It  is  gratifying  to  see  your  troops  in  such  good  physical 
shape  and  still  more  to  know  that  the  moral  tone  of  all  ranks 
is  so  high.  I  believe  that  they  will  return  with  this  high 
standard  to  perform  in  the  same  way  whatever  tasks  may  lie 
before  them  in  civil  life.  They  should  go  home  proud  of 
themselves  and  of  the  part  they  have  played,  and  conscious  of 
the  respect  and  admiration  of  their  comrades  throughout  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces,  Sincerely  yours, 

John  J.  Pershing. 


COXSTRUCTION   OF   FORGES-CONSKNVOYE   ROAD 


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f^f^^ff 


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Sir  -  *;j&x.]V 


a: 


CONSTRUCTION  OF  F<)Ri,i:s-Ll)SSIiNVOVE  ROAD,  FORGliS 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  291 

On  April  23,  the  hearts  of  all  ranks  of  the  33rd  Division 
were  gladdened  by  the  issuance  of  Field  Order  No.  39,  which 
opened  with  the  following  announcement: 

This  Div.  with  attached  units  moves  to  Brest,  France, 
for  return  to  the  U.  S.  Div.  will  entrain  commencing  24th 
Apr.  Entraining  stations,  Mersch  and  Ettelbruck.  The 
move  will  be  made  by  rail;  duration  of  journey,  three  days.^^^ 

It  was  not  until  April  25,  however,  that  the  first  trains 
were  available  and  that  the  leading  units  started  for  Brest. 
This  operation  was  continued  throughout  the  six  days  termi- 
nating on  April  30,  and  by  the  first  day  of  May  the  entire 
33rd  Division  had  left  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Luxembourg,^^"" 
where  it  had  spent  more  than  four  months — a  sojourn  so 
filled  with  charming  memories  of  the  kindness  and  hospitality 
received  from  the  Inhabitants  and  of  the  friendships  formed 
that  It  made  the  parting  painful  in  spite  of  the  delight  at  being 
homeward  bound. 

The  journey  to  the  port  of  embarkation  was  without  par- 
ticular incident  and  the  stay  at  Brest  was  devoid  of  interest- 
ing features  save  for  the  ceremony  which  took  place  on  May 
7,  when  Vice  Admiral  Moreau  conferred  the  Legion  of  Honor 
upon  Generals  Bell,  Wolf,  and  King,  and  Colonel  Sanborn, ^^^ 
and  for  the  receipt  of  the  following  letter : 

French  Republic. 
The  President  of  the  Council 

Minister  of  War. 

Paris,  the  5th  May,  1919. 
To  the  General  commanding  the  33rd  Division. 
My  dear  General, 

At  the  hour  when  the  33rd  Division  is  embarking  for  the 
United  States,  I  am  thinking  with  gratitude  of  the  battles  in 
which  it  has  been  engaged  and  displayed  so  much  valor. 

After  having  seen  its  Initial  service  with  our  British 
Allies,  It  was  near  Verdun  that  the  33rd  Division  first  came 
under  fire  with  Its  French  comrades.    The  capture  of  the  Bois 


292  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

de  Forges,  on  the  27th  of  September,  revealed  its  dash.  Sev- 
eral days  later,  at  the  Bols  de  Chaume,  the  8th  of  October, 
the  33rd  Division  asserted  its  tenacity  in  repulsing  by  stub- 
born counter-attacks  the  enemy  who  was  endeavoring  in  vain 
to  re-take  the  ground  lost. 

Of  this  spirit  of  enterprise  your  Division  again  gave  an 
example  during  the  last  days  before  the  Armistice  when  it  was 
at  the  heels  of  the  adversary  in  retreat. 

We  shall  treasure  in  memory  the  exploits  of  your  splen- 
did soldiers.  I  here  tender  to  them  the  expression  of  the 
gratitude  of  the  Government  of  the  Republic,  which  unites  in 
the  same  thought  of  thankfulness  the  living  and  the  dead. 

Believe,  my  dear  General,  in  the  assurance  of  my  very 
devoted  sentiments. 

For  the  President  of  the  Council 

and  by  his  order, 
The  Commissioner-General  of  the 
Franco-American  War  Affairs. 

Andre  Tardieu. 
Presidency  of  the  Council 

(Seal) 
Com.  Gen.  of  F.  A.  W.  A. 

The  embarkation  began  on  May  9,  when  the  Division 
Commander,  together  with  his  Staff,  the  132nd  Infantry,  and 
the  122nd  and  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalions,  sailed  in  the 
Mount  Fernon.^^''  The  other  units  followed  in  rapid  succes- 
sion^^^  and  on  May  18  the  last  transport  carrying  troops  of 
the  33rd  Division  left  Brest. ^^^ 

The  homeward  voyage  was  without  unusual  incident  and 
on  the  morning  of  Saturday,  May  17,  1919,  the  Mount  Vernon 
entered  New  York  Bay.  On  this  day  General  Order  No.  54, 
quoting  the  letters  from  General  Pershing  and  Monsieur 
Andre  Tardieu,  was  Issued  and  a  printed  copy  was  given  to 
every  officer  and  man  of  the  command. ^^*^  At  Staten  Island 
the  ship  was  met  by  a  delegation  of  Illinois  officials,  headed 
by  Governor  Lowden,  who  In  behalf  of  the  people  of  the  state 
welcomed  the  33rd  Division  home.    Upon  reaching  Hoboken, 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  293 

the  troops  were  promptly  disembarked  and  proceeded  to 
Camp  Mills,  Long  Island. ^^'^  That  afternoon  a  reception  to 
General  Bell  was  given  by  the  women  of  the  Illinois  Welcome 
Committee  at  107  East  34th  Street,  New  York,  and  on  the 
following  morning  the  leading  newspapers  of  Chicago,  New 
York,  the  principal  cities  of  the  east  and  indeed  all  over  the 
country  published  long  accounts  of  the  "Prairie  Division"  and 
its  splendid  achievements.  During  the  following  week,  Gen- 
eral Bell  spent  three  days  in  Washington  on  official  business 
but  rejoined  the  troops  before  the  departure  of  the  first  con- 
tingent on  May  25. 

Notwithstanding  every  effort  on  the  part  of  Governor 
Lowden  and  other  Illinois  officials,  the  War  Department  re- 
fused permission  for  a  review  of  the  entire  division  but  con- 
sented to  three  smaller  reviews  to  be  held  as  the  successive 
increments  reached  Chicago.  The  dates  of  these  reviews  and 
the  troops  participating  in  them  were  as  follows: 
Tuesday,  May  27,  1919: 

Division   Headquarters    (Major   General  George   Bell, 
Jr.), 

Headquarters  Troop  (Captain  Herbert  W.  Styles), 
65th  Infantry   Brigade   Headquarters    (Brigadier   Gen- 
eral Edward  L.  King), 

132nd  Infantry  (Colonel  Abel  Davis), 
130th  Infantry  (Colonel  John  V.  Clinnin), 
124th   Machine  Gun   Battalion    (Major  Floyd  F.   Put- 
nam), 

123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion    (Major  Albert  E.  Cul- 
bertson), 

122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  (Captain  E.  C.  Daly), 
Railhead  Detachment  (First  Lieutenant 

108th  Mobile  Ordnance  Repair  Shop    Clay  M.  Donner) . 
Monday,  June  2,  1919: 

66th  Infantry  Brigade  Headquarters, 

131st  Infantry  (Colonel  Joseph  B.  Sanborn), 


294  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

129th  Infantry  (Colonel  Edgar  A.  Myer), 

108th  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police  (Colonel 
Charles  D.  Center), 

108th  Ammunition  Train  (Lieutenant  Colonel  Walter 
A.  Fisher), 

108th  Supply  Train  (Major  William  Hendrie). 

Thursday,  June  5,  1919: 

58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  Headquarters   (Brigadier 

General  Henry  D.  Todd,  Jr.) , 

122nd  Field  Artillery  (Colonel  Milton  J.  Foreman), 
123rd  Field  Artillery  (Colonel  Charles  G.  Davis), 
124th   Field  Artillery    (Lieutenant   Colonel  Joseph  A. 

Rogers), 

108th  Engineers  (Colonel  Henry  A.  Allen), 

108th    Engineer   Train    (First   Lieutenant    Magnus    P. 

Thompson), 

108th  Field  Signal  Battalion  (Major  Milan  A.  Loosley), 
108th  Sanitary  Train    (Lieutenant  Colonel  George   C. 

Amerson). 

Upon  detraining  at  various  stations  in  Chicago, ^^-  the 
troops  in  each  instance  marched  to  Grant  Park,  where  a  recep- 
tion, lasting  an  hour  and  a  half  or  more,  was  held  by  their 
relatives.  At  1 1  A.M.  began  the  parade,  headed  in  each  case 
by  General  Bell  and  his  Staff  and  reviewed  by  the  Governor 
of  Illinois  from  a  stand  erected  at  the  Art  Institute  on  Michi- 
gan Avenue. ^''^  Never  in  the  history  of  the  state  have  Illinois 
troops  been  given  such  a  welcome  as  that  which  marked  these 
three  processions;  their  line  of  march  was  ablaze  with  flags 
and  decorations  of  every  sort  and  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
crowds  which  packed  the  streets  beggared  description.  The 
troops,  wearing  service  uniforms  and  trench  helmets — marked 
with  the  yellow  cross,  the  insignia  of  the  33rd  Division — and 
equipped  with  rifles,  bayonets,  and  light  packs,  presented  a 
magnificent  appearance.    Each  parade  was  followed  by  ban- 


DEPARTURE  FROM  LUXEMBOURG  295 

quets  for  the  officers  and  men  at  the  "Loop"  hotels,  and  dur- 
ing the  afternoon  the  troops  entrained  and  proceeded  to  Camp 
Grant,  Rockford,  Illinois. ^^* 

At  that  camp  all  officers  and  men  who  were  not  of  the 
Regular  Establishment  and  who  had  not  expressed  a  desire  to 
remain  in  the  Army  were  speedily  and  "honorably  discharged" 
from  the  military  service  of  the  United  States.  Before  the 
end  of  June,  1919,  this  demobilization  had  been  completed 
and  the  "Prairie  Division"  passed  into  history. 


XL     CONCLUSION 

In  certain  respects  the  33rd  Division  was  unique.  It  was 
the  only  division  in  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  in 
Europe — and,  therefore,  in  American  history — which  fought 
with,  and  under,  the  British,  the  Americans,  and  the  French. 
It  was  the  first  American  division  to  be  engaged  along  with 
the  British  in  a  battle  of  any  magnitude,^  and  the  first  to  fight 
by  the  side  of  the  Australian  troops.-  It  was  the  only  Ameri- 
can division  to  have  its  officers  and  men  decorated  by  the  King 
of  England  in  person. 

During  its  twelve  months  in  Europe,  the  33rd  Division 
served  in  five  armies  and  twelve  army  corps,  in  some  of  them 
more  than  once.^  It  was  the  sixteenth  of  the  American  divi- 
sions to  reach  France,  and  was  one  of  the  twenty-nine  combat 
divisions.^  In  the  number  of  kilometers  advanced  against  the 
enemy,  it  has  been  officially  rated  as  the  ninth  among  the 
American  divisions;  in  the  number  of  prisoners  cap- 
tured. It  was  placed  fourth;  in  the  number  of  its  own 
troops  killed  in  action,  it  was  the  twentieth  on  the  list;  and  in 
the  number  of  Its  wounded,  it  was  ranked  the  twelfth — ^these 
last  two  classifications  affording  proof  of  the  skill  with  which 
It  was  handled  In  battle.*'  The  German  High  Command  evi- 
dently considered  It  decidedly  efficient  since  they  included  It 
among  the  five  American  divisions  which  they  rated  as  "first- 
class." 

From  June  22  until  November  11,  1918,  a  period  of 
nearly  five  months  In  which  was  included  the  long  movement 
by  rail  from  the  British  front  to  the  Toul  sector,'^  there  were 
only  eighteen  days  when  the  33rd  Division,  In  whole  or  in 

296 


CONCLUSION  297 

part,  was  not  actually  occupying  a  portion  of  the  Allied  line  on 
the  western  front.  Apart  from  minor  operations  such  as 
Hamel,  it  participated  in  the  beginning  of  the  British  Somme 
offensive,  of  which  the  first  notable  success  was  achieved  by 
the  131st  Infantry  at  Chipilly  Ridge  and  Gressaire  Wood  on 
August  9,  1918.  It  was  originally  destined  to  take  an  active 
part  in  the  St.  Mihiel  offensive  commencing  on  September  12 
but  was  subsequently  placed  in  reserve  in  that  major  operation. 
In  the  Meuse-Argonne  battle,  it  was  actively  engaged  and  held 
a  portion  of  the  American  front-line  trenches  from  September 
26  until  the  armistice,  except  for  the  two  days  which  elapsed 
between  its  withdrawal  from  the  Verdun  sector  and  its  occupa- 
tion of  the  Troyon-sur-Meuse  sector.^  Upon  its  departure 
from  the  British  front,  after  three  months  of  training  and 
fighting  there,  General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson,  commanding  the 
Fourth  British  Army,  prophesied  that  it  would  "render  bril- 
liant service  to  the  Allied  cause  wherever  .  .  .  employed 
as  a  fighting  Division  in  the  face  of  the  enemy.'"-'  In  the 
Meuse-Argonne  battle,  every  mission  intrusted  to  it  was — to 
quote  the  words  of  Lieutenant  General  Bullard — "executed 
with  zeal,  skill,  smoothness  and  valor  that  deserved  the  high- 
est commendation."^*^  Never  once  in  all  its  desperate  fight- 
ing did  the  33rd  Division  appeal  for  reenforcements  or  help. 
It  was  the  boast  of  the  soldiers  of  the  33rd  that  they  were 
never  given  an  order  in  battle  which  they  did  not  execute  and 
that  they  were  never  assigned  an  objective  which  they  did  not 
take  on  scheduled  time.  Their  claim  is  justified  by  the  facts. 
Perfection,  particularly  in  war,  is  beyond  human  power 
to  attain;  nevertheless,  in  the  33rd  Division  the  machinery 
functioned  and  was  able  at  all  times  to  cope  with  the  situation, 
no  matter  how  difficult.  Throughout  its  active  operations 
there  were  very  few  occasions  when  the  men  in  the  trenches 
were  not  fed  hot  meals.     Rations  were  always  furnished  in 


298  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

abundance,  even  under  the  most  critical  circumstances,  and  the 
supply  of  artillery  and  small-arms  ammunition  never  ran 
short  of  requirements. 

The  death  rate  in  the  33rd  Division  while  at  Camp 
Logan  was  the  lowest  in  the  American  army.  In  Europe,  its 
health  rate  was  among  the  very  highest  in  the  American  Expe- 
ditionary Forces.  During  active  operations  it  was  conspicuous 
for  its  care  and  management  of  the  sick  and  wounded. 

The  discipline  and  spirit  in  the  33rd  Division  were  of  the 
highest  order.  From  the  date  of  its  departure  from  Texas 
until  the  armistice — a  period  of  nearly  six  months — no  en- 
listed man  was  tried  by  a  general  court-martial  and  only  two 
officers  were  thus  tried — an  enviable  record  for  any  command 
of  similar  size. 

It  is  a  well-known  maxim  in  war  that  the  infantry  consti- 
tutes the  backbone  of  an  army.  Irresistible  in  attack,  tenacious 
to  the  last  degree  in  defense,  efficient  in  everything  it  under- 
took, the  infantry  of  the  33rd  Division  proved  itself  superb. 
Hamel,  Chipilly  Ridge,  and  Gressaire  Wood,  the  Bois  de 
Forges,  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  the  Bois  Plat-Chene,  and  the 
successes  in  its  operations  during  the  last  days  before  the 
armistice  are  achievements  which  will  long  endure  in  the 
history  of  American  arms. 

On  the  British  front,  the  33rd  Division  was  supported 
by  British  and  Australian  artillery;  at  Verdun,  by  the  52nd 
Field  Artillery  Brigade  (Brigadier  General  George  Albert 
Wingate),  belonging  to  the  27th  Division;  and  in  the  Troyon- 
sur-Meuse  sector  by  the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  (Briga- 
dier General  J.  W.  Kilbreth),  of  the  30th  Division.  For  loy- 
alty, team  play,  and  service  efficiently  rendered,  these  artillery 
units  earned  the  deepest  gratitude  of  the  infantry  whose  oper- 
ations they  so  effectually  protected.  The  58th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade,    under    Brigadier    General    Henry    D.    Todd,    Jr., 


CONCLUSION  299 

formed  part  of  the  33rd  Division  but  was  separated  from  it 
during  the  eight  months  following  its  departure  from  Camp 
Logan.  After  a  period  of  training  at  Valdahon  and  Ornans, 
this  brigade  fought  with  four  different  divisions^^  and  was 
subsequently  attached  to  a  fifth. ^-  It  was  not  until  January 
10,  1919,  that  it  rejoined  the  33rd  Division  in  Luxembourg  to 
the  delight  of  both  commands,  having  acquired  a  most  envi- 
able record  for  efficiency,  gallantry,  initiative,  and  esprit  de 
corps. 

The  machine  gun  units  in  the  33rd  Division  were  con- 
spicuous for  their  energy,  resourcefulness,  and  originality. 
They  were  the  first  in  this  war  to  make  use  of  a  machine-gun 
barrage  to  neutralize  the  enemy  nests  in  a  wood  while  the 
infantry  turned  the  position. ^^  The  manner  in  which  their 
machine  guns  were  kept  in  the  very  front  of  the  infantry  dur- 
ing the  various  attacks  was  extraordinary.  In  no  two  opera- 
tions did  they  employ  the  same  method,  with  the  result  that 
the  enemy  was  constantly  at  a  loss  to  know  how  to  meet 
them — a  fact  repeatedly  attested  by  the  prisoners  captured. 
To  their  daring  and  originality  are  to  be  attributed  in  large 
measure  the  remarkable  successes  achieved  by  these  units. 

The  108th  Engineers  proved  themselves  one  of  the  most 
efficient  organizations  of  that  arm  of  the  service  in  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces.  Indefatigable,  resourceful, 
always  a  model  of  cheerfulness,  and  eager  to  undertake  any 
task  no  matter  how  difficult,  every  mission  intrusted  to  them 
was  performed  with  signal  ability  and  thoroughness.  Apart 
from  innumerable  other  tasks,  their  construction  of  the 
bridges  at  Brabant  and  Consenvoye  on  October  8,  1918,  was 
an  extraordinary  feat.  Indeed,  in  everything  they  undertook 
they  fully  earned  the  Division  Commander's  encomium  that 
*'the  work  of  the  108th  Engineers  has  been  magnificent." 

The  108th  Field  Signal  Battalion,  the  signal  corps,  and 


300  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

liaison  detachments  belonging  or  attached  to  the  various  units, 
and  the  108th  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police  all 
showed  remarkable  efficiency  and  deserve  high  praise  for  the 
manner  in  which  they  rendered  their  excellent  service. 

To  the  officers  and  men  of  the  108th  Engineer  Train,  the 
108th  Supply  Train,  the  108th  Sanitary  Train,  and  the  ammu- 
nition trains  serving  with  the  33rd  Division — especially  to  the 
truck  and  ambulance  drivers — the  highest  possible  credit  is 
due.  In  the  blackness  of  the  night,  in  rain  and  storm,  without 
lights  to  guide  their  way,  often  under  shell  fire  of  the  heaviest 
sort,  and  subjected  to  hardships  untold,  their  difficult  tasks 
were  performed  with  a  fidelity,  zeal,  and  courage  for  which  no 
praise  is  too  great.  Without  the  excitement  which  stimulates 
the  fighting  man,  denied  the  glamor  with  which  his  deeds  are 
always  invested,  through  their  splendid  devotion  to  duty  they 
rendered  a  service  without  which  the  efforts  of  the  fighting 
men  would  have  been  in  vain. 

Equally  meritorious  was  the  work  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  108th  Sanitary  Train,  the  field  hospitals,  and  ambu- 
lance companies,  particularly  those  at  the  dressing  stations 
and  in  the  ambulances.  By  their  self-sacrifice  and  steadfast 
adherence  to  duty  under  the  most  trying  circumstances  many  a 
life  was  saved  and  the  sufferings  of  many  a  wounded  man  were 
alleviated.  The  stretcher-bearers,  too — many  of  them  bands- 
men who  were  employed  or  who  volunteered  for  this  danger- 
ous service — showed  a  devotion  and  heroism  often  unre- 
warded but  none  the  less  superb. 

In  the  33rd  Division  the  officers  of  the  staff  were  at  all 
times  imbued  with  a  realization  that  their  role  was  wholly  and 
solely  that  of  servants  of  the  fighting  men.  Frequently 
worked  to  the  limit  of  human  endurance,  confronted  by  ob- 
stacles apparently  insurmountable,  they  labored  unceasingly 
for  the  welfare  of  the  troops.    Whatever  their  shortcomings, 


CONCLUSION  301 

their  functions  were  performed  in  such  a  manner  as  to  elicit 
from  the  French  Corps  Commander  at  Verdun^^ — who  had 
abundant  opportunity  to  test  them  under  distinctly  critical 
conditions — the  declaration  that  "General  Bell  had  an  excel- 
lent Staff"  and  that  its  work  was  "most  satisfactory."^^  The 
Division  Staff  is  indebted  for  a  large  measure  of  this  success 
to  the  army  field  clerks  and  the  enlisted  men  attached  to  the 
various  staff  departments,  who  never  failed  them  under  any 
circumstances. 

To  the  British  and  French  officers  and  men  who  acted  as 
instructors  at  Camp  Logan,  and  to  those  who  were  attached 
to  the  division  in  Europe,  the  utmost  gratitude  is  due  for  the 
inestimable  service  rendered  by  them  which  contributed  so 
much  toward  developing  the  efficiency  of  the  command. 

No  relations  could  have  been  more  cordial,  more  ami- 
cable, or  more  satisfactory  than  those  which  prevailed  between 
the  33rd  Division  on  one  hand  and,  on  the  other,  the  oflicers 
and  other  ranks  of  the  British  and  French  forces  with  which  it 
served  and  fought  on  the  Somme,  at  Verdun,  and  in  the  St. 
Mihiel  salient.  The  kindness,  consideration,  invaluable  train- 
ing, timely  suggestions,  and  never-failing  assistance  received  at 
their  hands,  coupled  with  genial  comradeship,  created  mutual 
admiration  and  affection  which  rarely  failed  to  ripen  into  last- 
ing friendships.  In  those  brief  months  ties  were  cemented 
which  will  endure  for  the  good  of  the  world  during  genera- 
tions to  come. 

As  was  the  case  with  their  Allies  and  other  American 
troops,  the  bravery  displayed  by  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
33rd  Division  was  often  sublime.  Every  meritorious  case  was 
recommended  for  a  suitable  decoration,  but  a  large  number  of 
officers  and  men  were  refused  by  the  Decorations  Section  at 
General  Headquarters  the  recognition  to  which,  after 
thorough  investigation,  it  was  considered  in  the  division  that 


302  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

they  were  justly  entitled.  Three  hundred  and  eighty  officers 
and  men  were,  however,  rewarded  with  decorations  of  various 
sorts,  American  and  foreign. ^*^  Of  these  the  most  coveted 
was  the  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor,  which  is  conferred 
for  extraordinary  heroism  only.  During  the  war,  seventy- 
eight  Medals  of  Honor  were  granted  by  the  American  mili- 
tary authorities,  sixteen  of  these  being  posthumous  awards;  of 
the  sixty-two  conferred  upon  living  men,  nine  were  bestowed 
upon  officers  and  men  of  the  33rd  Division — a  number  ex- 
ceeded by  only  one  other  division  in  the  American  Expedition- 
ary Forces. ^''^ 

In  efficiency,  gallantry,  devotion  to  duty,  indomitable 
resolution,  cheerfulness  under  every  condition,  and  in  esprit 
de  corps  the  officers  and  men  of  the  33rd  Division  proved 
themselves  worthy  rivals  of  the  soldiers  of  Illinois  who  fought 
in  former  wars  of  the  United  States.  The  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  declared  that 
theirs  was  a  "splendid  record  while  in  France.  .  .  .  They 
should  go  home  proud  of  themselves  and  of  the  part  they  have 
played,  and  conscious  of  the  respect  and  admiration  of  their 
comrades  throughout  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces. "^^ 
Eight  months  earlier  the  division  had  been  thanked  for  its 
"brilliant  successes"  on  the  British  front^^  and  the  French  were 
equally  appreciative.  In  a  charming  letter  of  farewell  to  Gen- 
eral Bell,  when  the  command  was  about  to  embark  at  Brest, 
Monsieur  Andre  Tardieu,  the  French  Commissioner-General, 
wrote:  "We  shall  treasure  in  memory  the  exploits  of  your 
splendid  soldiers.  I  here  tender  to  them  the  expression  of  the 
gratitude  of  the  Government  of  the  French  Republic,  which 
unites  in  the  same  thought  of  thankfulness  the  living  and  the 
dead."2o 

In  the  pamphlet  history  of  the  33rd  Division,  A.  E.  F., 
the  Division  Commander,  in  his  brief  introduction,  declared 


CONCLUSION  303 

that  he  was  "proud  to  have  had  the  honor  and  the  privilege  of 
commanding  such  men."  What  they  achieved  is  chiefly  to  be 
attributed  to  the  complete  weeding  out  of  those  oflUcers  and 
men  who  were  not  up  to  the  standard  required  in  war,  to  the 
thorough  training,  the  severe  discipline  enforced,  the  vigilant 
supervision,  the  magnificent  spirit  instilled  into  them,  and  the 
skill  with  which  they  were  invariably  handled  by  their  admired 
and  beloved  commander,  Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr. 


CHAPTER  I 

^Paragraph  197,  Special  Order  No.  197,  War  Department,  August  24,  1917,  made 
the  following  assignments:  Brigadier  General  Henry  R.  Hill,  2nd  Brigade.  Illinois 
National  Guard,  to  command  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade;  Colonel  Henry  D.  Todd,  Jr., 
to  command  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade;  Brigadier  General  David  J.  Foster,  ist 
Brigade,  Illinois  National  Guard,  to  command  the  64th  Infantry  Brigade;  Major  F.  L. 
Huidekoper,  Adjutant  General,  Officers'  Reserve  Corps,  as  division  adjutant;  Major 
William  C.  Gardenhire,  Infantry,  National  Army,  as  division  quartermaster;  and 
Major  Charles  C.  Allen,  Infantry,  National  Army,  as  assistant  chief  of  staff. 


DATE  OF  ARRIVAL 

August  17,  1917 


August  18,  1917 

August  19,  1917 
August  20,  1 917 


Company  E,  2nd 
Company  H,  2nd 
Company  A,  7th 
Company  C,  3rd 
Company  F,  4th 
Company  E,  5th 
Company  E,  ist 
Battery  A,  2nd 
1st 
Company  G,  8th 

Total 


UNIT 

Illinois  Infantry 

Illinois  Infantry 

Illinois  Infantry 

Illinois  Infantry 

Illinois  Infantry 

Illinois  Infantry 

Illinois  Engineers 

Illinois  Field  Artillery. . .  . 
Illinois  Field  Hospital. . .  . 
Illinois  Infantry  (colored). 


OFFI- 

ENLISTED 

CERS 

MEN 

3 

81 

3 

134 

3 

102 

3 

142 

3 

123 

3 

139 

4 

164 

5 

189 

6 

80 

3 

137 

36 


1,291 


^Aides-de  Camp,  Captain  William  H.  Simpson  and  Captain  John  P.  Lucas;  Chief 
of  Staff,  Lieutenant  Colonel  William  K.  Naylor;  Assistant  Chief  of  Staff,  Major 
Charles  C.  Allen;  Adjutant,  Major  Frederic  L.  Huidekoper;  Judge  Advocate,  Major 
Burnett  M.  Chiperfield;  Quartermaster,  Major  William  C.  Gardenhire;  Surgeon, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  L.  M.  Hathaway;  Assistant  Surgeons,  Major  Gustavus  M.  Blech 
and  Major  H.  H.  Tuttle;  Ordnance  Officer,  Captain  James  Spiers;  and  Assistant 
Ordnance  Officer,  First  Lieutenant  W.  Morton  Kelley. 

^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 
5 


DATE  OF 

ARRIVAL  AT 

UNIT 

COMMANDER 

STRENGTH 

CAMP  LOGAN 

Sept.  10,  1917 

2nd  Illinois  Field  Artillery 

Col.  Milton  J.  Foreman 

36  officers, 
1076  men 

Sept.  II,  1917 

1st  Illinois  Engineers 

Col.  Henry  A.  Allen 

22  officers. 

(less  Companies  A  and  E) 

719  men 

Sept.  12,  1917 

6th  Illinois  Infantry 

Col.  Charles  H.  Davis 

34  officers. 

(less  Companies  B  and  M) 

I149  men 

305 


(a) 


306 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


DATE   OF 

ARRIVAL  AT 

UNIT 

COMMANDER 

STRENGTH 

CAMP    LOGAN 

Sept.  12  and  13, 

2nd  Illinois  Infantry 

Col.  John  J.  Garrity 

54  officers, 

I9I7 

1994  men 

Sept.  16,  1917 

3rd  Illinois  Infantry 

Col.  Charles  H.  Greene 

51  officers, 
1961  men 

Sept.  16,  1917 

2nd  Illinois  Field  Hospital 

First  Lieut.  Norman  ZoUa, 

5  officers. 

M.C. 

79  men 

Sept.  16,  1917 

3rd  Illinois  Field  Hospital 

Major  Frederick  C.  Fred- 

5  officers. 

erickson,  M  C. 

80  men 

Sept.  16,  1917 

4th  Illinois  Field  Hospital 

Major  James  J.   McKin- 

4  officers. 

ley,  M.C. 

80  men 

Sept.  16,  1917 

Company  A,  Illinois  Signal 

Capt.  Alvin  H.  McNeal 

3  officers. 

Corps 

75  men 

Sept.  16,  17  and 

5th  Illinois  Infantry 

Col.  Frank  S.  Wood 

52  officers. 

18,  1917 

1853  men 

Sept.  20  and  21, 

3rd  Illinois  Field  Artillery 

Col.  Gordon  Strong 

28  officers. 

1917 

1082  men 

Oct.  2,  1917 

7th  Illinois  Infantry 

Col.  Daniel  Moriarty 

51  officers, 
1913  men 

Oct.  2,  1917 

1st  Illinois  Ambulance  Com- 

First   Lieut.    George    U. 

4  officers. 

pany 

Lipschutz,  M.C. 

14I  men 

Oct.  2.  19 17 

2nd  Illinois  Ambulance  Com- 

First    Lieut.     Henry     C. 

3  officers. 

pany 

Johannes,  M.C. 

133  men 

Oct.  2,  1917 

3rd  Illinois  Ambulance  Com- 

First   Lieut.    Charles    S. 

2  officers, 

pany 

Kubik,  M.C. 

120  men 

Oct.  2,  1917 

4th  Illinois  Ambulance  Com- 

First Lieut.  Raymond  B. 

2  officers. 

pany 

Kepner,  M.C. 

121  men 

Oct.  3,  1917 

Company  A,  ist  Illinois  En- 

Capt. Curtis  C.  Saner 

3  officers, 

gineers 

163  men 

Oct.  4,  1917 

1st  Illinois  Infantry 

Col.  Joseph  B.  Sanborn 

56  officers, 
1881  men 

Oct.  12,  1917 

4th  Illinois  Infantry 

Lieut.  Colonel  E.  P.  Clay- 

56 officers, 

ton 

1805  men 

Oct.  14  and  16, 

8th  Illinois  Infantry 

Col.  Franklin  A.  Denison 

52  officers. 

1917 

(Colored)  (Less  Co.  G) 

1862  men 

Oct.  26,  1917 

Company  B,  6th  Illinois  In- 

First   Lieut.    Charles    B. 

3  officers. 

fantry 

Myatt 

129  men 

Oct.  26,  1917 

Company  M,  6th  Illinois  In- 

Capt. Harris  F.  Hall 

3  officers. 

fantry 

230  men 

^According  to  the  Tables  of  Organization  issued  by  the  War  Department  on 
August  8,  1917,  an  infantry  division,  exclusive  of  the  noncombatant  troops,  was  com- 
posed of  four  regiments  of  infantry  of  103  officers  and  3,652  men  each;  three  regiments 
of  field  artillery,  two  regiments  (3-inch  guns)  of  55  officers  and  1,424  men  each,  and 


NOTES  307 

one  regiment  (6-inch  howitzers)  of  63  officers  and  1,703  men;  one  regiment  of  engineers 
of  49  officers  and  1,617  men,  besides  a  field  signal  battalion,  three  machine  gun  battal- 
ions, etc.  At  that  time  the  Illinois  National  Guard  comprised  eight  regiments  of  in- 
fantry (one  colored),  three  regiments  of  field  artillery — one  of  which  formed  part  of  the 
42nd  ("Rainbow")  Division — 'one  regiment  of  engineers,  and  certain  other  smaller 
units. 

^The  following  are  excerpts  from  a  memorandum  prepared  by  the  Division  Adju- 
tant on  September  16,  1917: 

"The  General  [General  Bell]  wants  the  First  Illinois  Infantry  here.  When 
he  asks  that  it  be  sent,  he  is  informed  that  the  Secretary  of  War  has  given  General 
Barry  [commanding  the  86th  Division]  permission  to  retain  it  at  Camp  Grant  until 
one  month  after  the  first  increment  of  drafted  men  has  reached  it.  Preliminary 
instruction  is  thus  delayed  just  that  long,  and  General  Foster  finds  himself  in  command 
of  a  Brigade  existing  on  paper  only,  whereas  more  than  one  thousand  miles  separate 
one  part  from  the  other. 

"Slightly  over  a  week  ago,  request  was  made  that  General  Hill's  Brigade  Head- 
quarters be  sent  here.  This  request  was  refused  for  the  insuperable  reason  that  it 
lacked  one  pyramidal  tent  and  one  field  range.  General  Hill  at  that  time  had  seven 
men  at  Camp  Logan  occupying  eight  tents  which  are  supposed  to  hold  at  least  six  men 
apiece,  and  his  A.D.C.,  Lieut.  Sadler,  personally  showed  me  an  order  for  a  field  range 
which  he  took  out  of  his  pocket.  At  last,  the  authorities  were  persuaded  that  we 
could  take  care  of  this  Brigade  Headquarters  and  it  was  eventually  sent  here,  to  the 
delight  of  General  Hill,  who  had  cooled  his  heels  here  for  nearly  three  weeks  without 
any  Headquarters  and  only  a  handful  of  troops." 

^General  Orders  No.  23,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  October  10,  1917,  prescribed 
the  following  organization  for  the  33rd  Division,  which  was  to  take  effect  at  midnight 
on  October  11,  1917,    2:6. 

The  1st  and  2nd  Regiments  of  Infantry,  Illinois  National  Guard,  became  the 
131st  and  132nd  Regiments  of  Infantry  respectively.  These  two  regiments,  together 
with  the  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  composed  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade. 

The  3rd  and  4th  Regiments  of  Infantry,  Illinois  National  Guard,  became  the 
129th  and  130th  Regiments  of  Infantry  respectively  and,  together  with  the  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  constituted  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade. 

The  Illinois  Field  Hospitals  Nos.  i,  2,  3  and  4  became  Field  Hospitals  Nos.  129, 
130,  131,  and  132  respectively.  The  Illinois  Ambulance  Companies  Nos.  i,  2,  3  and  4 
became  Ambulance  Companies  129,  130,  131  and  132  respectively.  These  four  Field 
Hospitals  and  four  Ambulance  Companies  comprised  the  Sanitary  Train. 

Company  A  of  the  5th  Illinois  Infantry,  and  Companies  A,  B,  C,  D,  E  and  F  of 
the  7th  Illinois  Infantry  formed  the  108th  Ammunition  Train. 

Companies  G,  H,  I,  K,  L  and  M  of  the  7th  Illinois  Infantry  became  the  io8th 
Supply  Train. 

Company  M  of  the  5th  Illinois  Infantry  became  the  io8th  Engineer  Train,  and 
Companies  B  and  H  of  that  regiment  composed  the  io8th  Train  Headquarters  and 
Military  Police. 

The  1 22nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion — the  Division  Machine  Gun  Battalion — was 
constituted  of  Companies  E,  I  and  K  of  the  5th  Illinois  Infantry  and  of  the  Machine 
Gun  Company  of  the  7th  Illinois  Infantry. 


308  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

The  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion — belonging  to  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade — 
was  made  up  of  Companies  F  and  G  and  the  Machine  Gun  Company  of  the  5th 
Illinois  Infantry. 

The  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion — 66th  Infantry  Brigade — was  formed  of 
Companies  C,  D  and  L  of  the  5th  Illinois  Infantry. 

The  Machine  Gun  Company  of  the  6th  Illinois  Infantry — which  had  been  trans- 
formed into  the  123rd  Field  Artillery  became  the  io8th  Trench  Mortar  Battery,  and 
the  following  consolidations  were  made,  viz:  Headquarters  Company  of  the  5th 
Illinois  Infantry  with  the  Headquarters  Company  of  the  129th  Infantry;  Supply 
Company  of  the  5th  Illinois  Infantry  with  the  Supply  Company  of  the  130th  Infantry; 
Headquarters  Company  of  the  7th  Illinois  Infantry  with  the  Headquarters  Company 
of  the  132nd  Infantry;  and  Supply  Company  of  the  7th  Illinois  Infantry  with  the 
Supply  Company  of  the  131st  Infantry. 

^On  October  9,  19 17,  the  Liberty  Loan  "drive"  had  been  definitely  launched  at 
Camp  Logan.  On  October  10,  instructions  were  received  from  The  Adjutant  General 
to  institute  a  vigorous  recruiting  campaign  in  case  a  sufficient  number  of  drafted  men 
were  not  received  to  fill  the  division  to  maximum  strength.  On  October  24,  which  was 
designated  as  "Liberty  Loan  Day,"  General  Todd  reviewed  from  the  balcony  of  the 
Rice  Hotel,  Houston,  a  parade  composed  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade  and  the  8th 
Illinois  Infantry  (colored). 

^"The  5th  and  7th  Illinois  Infantry. 

^^The  first  contingent  from  Camp  Grant  arrived  on  October  25. 

^'^See  table,  1:309,  n.  22. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^The  8th  Illinois  Infantry  (colored)  subsequently  became  the  370th  Infantry  and 
formed  part  of  the  185th  Infantry  Brigade  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General 
A.  S.  Blanding.  The  headquarters  of  this  brigade  and  the  greater  part  of  the  370th 
Infantry  left  Camp  Logan  on  March  6,  1918,  for  Newport  News,  en  route  overseas. 

^"The  1st  Illinois  Infantry  Brigade  under  Brigadier  General  David  J.  Foster  was 
originally  the  64th  Infantry  Brigade.  Subsequently  it  was  discovered  that  this 
number  had  been  assigned  by  the  War  Department  to  an  infantry  brigade  in  the  32nd 
Division  and,  in  consequence.  General  Foster's  command  was  renumbered  the  66th 
Infantry  Brigade. 

^^It  was  not  until  November  21, 1917,  that  authorization  was  given  from  Washing- 
ton to  install  a  heating  plant  in  the  Base  Hospital,  and  not  until  December  5  that 
plumbing  and  sewerage  was  authorized.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  all  three  had  been 
secretly  installed  weeks  before. 

^^"How  to  create  an  Artillery  Brigade  with  only  two  Regular  o.fficers,  virtually  no 
guns,  little  or  no  ammunition,  no  competent  instructors,  totally  green  men  or  Cavalry  or 
Infantry  transformed  is  a  problem.  ...  A  week  ago  General  Todd  was  ordered  to 
report  to  the  Commanding  General  of  the  Southern  Department  at  San  Antonio  for 
duty.  It  was  subsequently  discovered  that  this  duty  was  as  a  member  of  the  court- 
martial  for  the  mutinous  negroes  of  the  24th  Infantry  who  were  concerned  in  the 
shooting  affray  on  August  23rd;  that  this  board  would  not  assemble  for  a  fortnight  at 
least;  and  Heaven  knows  how  long  General  Todd  would  be  kept  on  this  duty,  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that  he  was  then  the  only  Regular  officer  of  the  Artillery  Brigade  here  and 
that  the  regiments  which  were  to  compose  his  command  were  either  en  route  or  shortly 


NOTES  309 

to  arrive.  By  dint  of  much  protestation  to  Washington,  this  order  was  revoked." 
Memorandum  prepared  by  the  Division  Adjutant  on  September  i6,  1917. 

^^The  memorandum  already  quoted  stated  that,  on  August  16,  1 917,  so  far  as  the 
33rd  Division  was  concerned, 

"As  for  guns,  there  are  none.  The  War  Department  is  making  some  arrange- 
ments to  supply  the  immense  number  of  one  battery  of  3-inch  guns,  but  its  plan  is 
still  incomplete.  .  .  . 

"At  the  beginning  of  September,  General  Bell  made  inquiry  of  the  Chief  of 
Ordnance  as  to  what  types  of  machine  guns  and  automatic  rifles  would  be  sent  here, 
and  he  recommended  that  one  of  each  be  expressed  to  this  camp  for  instruction  pur- 
poses. The  answer  was  that  the  present  supply  would  not  permit  any  to  be  sent  to 
National  Guard  cantonments  for  several  months;  that  the  particular  type  which 
would  eventually  be  supplied  could  not  be  announced  insomuch  as  some  twelve  types 
were  under  procurement  and  the  rate  of  completion  would  be  the  factor  to  determine 
how  they  would  be  distributed." 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant.  The  first  contingent  from  the  88th  Division  at 
Camp  Dodge,  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  arrived  on  November  4, 1917. 

^"General  Bell  to  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army,  December  11,  1917,  on  the 
subject  of  a  "letter  of  Honorable  M.  D.  Foster,  M.  C,  relative  to  130th  Infantry," 
See  2:8. 

^^"An  analysis  of  the  men  listed  as  Alien  Enemies  shows  that  .  .  .  four  hundred 
and  seventy-four  came  from  approximately  fifty  six  hundred  (5,600)  drafted  men  sent 
here  from  the  86th  Division,  Camp  Grant,  Rockford,  111.;  thirty  one  (31)  from  the 
approximately  one  thousand  (1,000)  men  sent  from  the  88th  Division,  National  Army, 
Camp  Dodge,  Iowa.  .  .  ."  General  Bell  to  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army, 
December  7,  1917,  on  the  subject  of  alien  enemies. 

^'"33RD  Division  Troops 

Category  Drqf/ed 

From  Camp  Grant        Camp  Dodge 

A.  Physically  unfit 371  62 

B.  Unsuited 170  23 

C.  Worthless 99  19 

D.  Non-English  speaking 296  32 

E.  Illiterates 221  35 

F.  Venereally  diseased 79  18 

Totals ^,'^3(>  189" 

Report  of  the  Division  Statistical  Officer  (First  Lieutenant  George  G.  Shor)  to 
the  Division  Adjutant,  December  15,  1917,  consolidating  the  data  received  from 
the  various  units  of  the  33rd  Division,  in  compliance  with  a  memorandum  issued 
by  Division  Headquarters  on  December  11,  1917. 

"^Report  of  Major  J.  M.  Willis,  commanding  Base  Hospital,  February  18,  1918. 

^*The  British  Military  Mission  was  composed  of  Captain  E.  M.  Barlow,  5th 

Royal  Fusiliers;    First  Lieutenant  R.  G.  W.  Callaghan,  Connaught  Rangers;    First 

Lieutenant  E.  R.  Robinson,  7th  King's  Liverpool  Regiment;    and  First  Lieutenant 

J.  L.  Thorman,  i8th  Durham  Light  Infantry. 


310  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

The  French  Military  Mission  comprised  Captain  Joseph  Flipo,  i6ist  Infantry; 
Captain  Henri  Leonard  Raichlen,  315th  Infantry;  Lieutenant  Emile  Robert,  297th 
Infantry;  Lieutenant  Leon  Dufour,  8th  Engineers;  and  Lieutenant  Leon  Tournier, 
Artillery. 

^^Gensral  Todd  and  the  Division  Staff;  Troop  D,  14th  U.  S.  Cavalry;  66th 
Infantry  Brigade  (less  one  regiment);  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  with  the  8th  Illinois 
Infantry  (colored)  attached;  io8th  Engineers,  with  the  5th  Infantry  Band  attached; 
58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade;  and  the  trains,  exclusive  of  the  regimental  trains.  Gen- 
eral Order  No.  34,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  November  6,  1917. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

'«Seei:3,4. 

^^See  1:3. 

^^ Apart  from  reports  transmitted  by  mail,  the  following  is  a  partial  list  of  the  most 
important  telegrams  sent  by  General  Todd  respecting  certain  subjects.  Organization: 
21  telegrams  between  September  26  and  December  5,  1917;  construction  at  Camp 
Logan:  9  telegrams  between  September  26  and  November  20;  ordnance:  8  telegrams 
between  October  20  and  November  30,  1917;  drafted  men:  7  telegrams  between 
October  10  and  December  4,  1917;  clothing  and  blankets:  telegrams  on  October  10, 
II,  and  12,  1917.     This  partial  list  is  taken  from  the  Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant, 

^^An  instance  of  this  sort  was  the  refusal  of  the  Commanding  General  of  the  86th 
Division  to  furnish  the  33rd  Division  with  certain  men  possessing  special  qualifications, 
notwithstanding  the  explicit  orders  of  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army.  General 
Bell  to  The  Adjutant  General,  December  11,  1917,   2:8. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant.  It  was  not  until  December  10  that  the  last 
units  of  the  33rd  Division  in  the  oil  regions  were  ordered  to  be  relieved  by  the  57th 
Infantry. 

^^A  fair  example  was  the  office  of  the  Division  Adjutant,  the  organization  of  which 
was  modified  three  times  before  the  middle  of  November,  1917;  on  October  18,  instruc- 
tions were  received  to  establish  a  personnel  office,  and  subsequently  a  bureau  of  war 
risk  insurance. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^As  late  as  December  6,  1917,  a  telegram  from  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army 
announced  that  the  internment  of  aliens  was  forbidden  to  department  and  division 
commanders,  and  that  a  presidential  warrant,  issued  by  the  Department  of  Justice 
alone,  was  requisite  for  the  internment  of  an  enemy  alien. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^"^ Houston  Chronicle,  December  8,  1917;   Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  prohibition  of  the  internment  of  aliens 
without  a  presidential  warrant.  See  above,  n.  35.  On  December  8,  instructions 
were  received  forbidding  the  separation,  segregation,  or  interning  of  Austro-Hunga- 
rians.  On  December  11,  the  War  Department  called  for  a  report  on  the  Germans, 
Austro-Hungarians,  Bulgarians,  and  Turks  who  had  taken  out  first  papers  but  who  were 
not  yet  naturalized.  On  December  12,  a  list  of  those  same  subjects  who  had  been 
naturalized  was  called  for.  On  December  15,  directions  were  received  to  take  no 
steps  respecting  Austro-Hungarians,  since  congressional  action  concerning  them  was 
shortly  expected.     Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 


NOTES  311 

'^Considerable  difficulty  was  experienced  in  effecting  the  new  organization  pre- 
scribed for  the  123rd  Field  Artillery.  In  November,  1917,  it  had  been  learned  that  the 
regiments  of  heavy  artillery  (6-inch  howitzers)  were  to  be  motorized  but  that  the 
necessary  tractors  could  not  be  delivered  "for  some  months."  See  above,  1:8. 
During  December  orders  had  been  received  to  reduce  the  personnel  of  the  123rd  Field 
Artillery  but  it  was  not  until  December  24  that  the  Quartermaster  General  was  informed 
by  the  Ordnance  Department  that  additional  animals  would  not  be  supplied  to  the 
6-inch  howitzer  regiments,  which  would,  however,  retain  such  horses  as  they  had  until 
tractors  were  furnished.  This  information  was  not  communicated  to  the  Division 
Commander  and  was  only  ascertained  in  consequence  of  personal  interviews  with 
certain  War  Department  officials  by  the  Division  Adjutant  who  was  on  leave  in 
Washington.  The  net  result  was  that  the  123rd  Field  Artillery  had  to  be  completely 
reorganized  and  trained  with  horse-drawn  howitzers,  notwithstanding  that  its  fighting 
was  to  be  done  with  tractor-drawn  guns. 

^''Colonel  Joseph  B.  Sanborn,  131st  Infantry,  and  Colonel  Milton  J.  Foreman, 
122nd  Field  Artillery. 

*^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^'^Ibid.  The  four  units  eventually  selected  after  competitive  drill  in  each  regiment 
were  Company  K,  129th  Infantry,  Company  F,  130th  Infantry,  Company  E,  131st 
Infantry,  and  Company  G,  132nd  Infantry.  They  were  designated  as  the  "Model 
Companies,"  were  reviewed  by  a  board  consisting  of  the  Chief  of  Staff  and  Captains 
Lucas  and  Simpson,  were  formed  into  a  provisional  battalion,  were  excused  from  guard 
duty  and  fatigue,  were  filled  up  to  full  strength  of  250  men  each,  and  were  given  an 
intensive  course  of  training.  This  provisional  battalion  was  placed  under  the  com- 
mand of  Major  H.  C.  Ridgway  and  the  general  supervision  of  its  training  was  intrusted 
to  Captain  William  H.  Simpson.  This  battalion  was  fully  provided  with  new  equip- 
ment and  soon  became  conspicuous  for  its  efficiency.  All  four  of  these  companies 
distinguished  themselves  in  action  in  France,  Company  E,  131st  Infantry,  and  Com- 
pany G,  132nd  Infantry,  being  especially  selected  for  the  engagement  at  Hamel  on 
July  4,  191 8.  The  arduous  training  given  them  proved  its  worth  by  their  efficiency  in 
battle. 

■^^General  Bell  had  urgently  recommended  that  Colonels  Sanborn  and  Foreman 
and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hackett,  the  last  of  the  123rd  Field  Artillery,  be  exempted 
from  attending  the  Brigade  and  Field  Officers'  School  at  San  Antonio.  On  January 
1 1,1918,  a  telegram  from  The  Adjutant  General  announced  that  this  recommendation 
had  been  disapproved.  The  Division  Commander  promptly  renewed  his  recommen- 
dation by  telegraph,  on  the  ground  that  these  three  officers  were  "most  valuable" 
for  the  very  purpose  for  which  Regular  colonels  had  been  sent  to  the  regiments;  that 
he  considered  it  "decidedly  to  interest  of  service  that  Efficiency  Boards  in  an  Illinois 
Division  be  composed  solely  of  Illinois  officers,  particularly  when  this  work  can  be 
performed  by  officers  of  such  calibre  as  those  mentioned  above  who  command  respect 
both  in  Division  and  in  State  of  Illinois.  .  .  who  have  obtained  high  efficiency.  .  . 
are  men  of  education  and  force  and  can  be  relied  upon  to  discharge  their  duties  without 
regard  to  State  interests;"  and  that  "all  Colonels  and  Lieutenant  Colonels  of  Infantry 
and  Artillery  belonging  to  this  Division  except  three  officers  above  mentioned  and 
Colonel  Strong,  who  is  absent  sick,  are  now  at  San  Antonio." 

On  January  14,  instructions  were  received  from  The  Adjutant  General  to  send 


312  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

to  the  Brigade  and  Field  Officers'  School  enough  officers  to  complete  the  division's 
quota  of  fourteen. 

*^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^*0n  January  15  a  telegram  was  received  from  Colonel  Gordon  Strong  tendering  his 
resignation  because  of  physical  unfitness  for  active  service  resulting  from  a  serious 
illness.  He  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the  124th  Field  Artillery  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Horatio  B.  Hackett.  This  officer  was  promptly  recommended  for  promotion 
to  a  colonelcy  and  on  January  24  notification  was  received  from  The  Adjutant  General 
that  this  recommendation  had  been  approved. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

*^0n  January  26,  General  Bell  reported  that  there  were  exactly  "6  gallery  practice 
rifles  on  hand  in  this  Division,  4  serviceable  and  two  unserviceable."  On  January  31 
he  was  informed  by  The  Adjutant  General  that  159  gallery  practice  rifles  had  been 
ordered  shipped  to  the  33rd  Division. 

^*Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^"See  1:7,  10,  13-14. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^'Division  Commander  to  Acting  Chief  of  StaflF,  February  11,  1918,  on  the  subject 
of  "  Designation  of  the  33rd  Division  as  a  Replacement  Division."  The  sequel  was 
contained  in  the  following  communication:  "320.     (Misc.  Div.)    ist  Ind. 

War  Department,  A.G.O.,  February  21,  1918. — ^To  The  Commanding  General, 
33rd  Division,  Camp  Logan,  Texas. 

It  is  regretted  that  the  Commanding  General,  33rd  Division  has  placed  the  inter- 
pretation upon  the  designation  of  his  division  as  a  replacement  division  that  this 
communication  would  appear  to  indicate. 

Under  the  scheme  of  organization  calling  for  replacement  division,  it  devolved 
upon  the  War  Department  to  so  designate  certain  divisions,  and  the  efficiency  of  these 
divisions  is  as  vital  to  the  success  of  the  whole  plan  as  that  of  any  others. 

The  Division  Commander  is  assured  that  this  designation  of  his  division  was  made 
without  intent  to  reflect  in  the  slightest  upon  his  efficiency  or  that  of  the  men  whom 
he  commands. 

By  order  of  the  Secretary  of  War: 

John  S.  Johnston, 
3  Incls.  Adjutant  General. 

(Syn.  made) 
RHM 

^Trench  and  Camp,  February  22,  1918. 

^^On  February  15,  instructions  were  received  from  The  Adjutant  General  to 
transfer  to  the  Quartermaster  Corps  350  men  with  slight  physical  defects,  and  to  send 
250  of  them  to  the  School  for  Cooks  and  Bakers  at  Fort  Riley,  Kansas,  and  100  to  the 
Presidio,  San  Francisco.  On  the  morning  of  February  19,  these  detachments  left 
Camp  Logan. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^'^Ibid. 

^^See  1:9. 


NOTES  313 

^^On  February  21,  instructions  were  received  to  report  the  number  of  non- 
commissioned officers  surplus  in  the  divisions,  since  they  could  be  utilized  in  the 
formation  of  corps  and  army  troops.  On  February  28  a  report  was  rendered  that 
there  were  only  three  sergeants  surplus. 

^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

®^That  the  unusual  amount  of  time  devoted  in  the  33rd  Division  to  all  details  of 
shooting  was  in  harmony  with  the  plan  of  the  War  Department  was  attested  by  the 
receipt  on  February  28  of  the  following  telegram  from  The  Adjutant  General: 

"Reports  of  inspectors  indicate  that  in  many  Divisions  there  is  a  neglect  of  the 
necessary  training  preliminary  to  small  arms  firing  on  the  target  range.  It  is  vitally 
important  that  every  man  armed  with  rifle  or  pistol  be  taught  how  to  shoot  during 
preliminary  training  and  that  the  firing  of  ball  ammunition  is  merely  an  application 
of  that  which  has  been  learned." 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

*^0n  March  13,  Major  William  C.  Cowles  arrived  from  the  headquarters  of  the 
Central  Department  at  Chicago  and  assumed  the  duties  of  Division  Inspector,  vice 
Major  Clyde  R.  Abraham,  who  had  been  ordered  to  the  8ist  Division  at  Camp  Jackson, 
Columbia,  South  Carolina.  On  March  15,  instructions  were  received  to  send  the  7th 
Illinois  Infantry  Band  to  Leon  Springs,  Texas,  for  assignment  to  the  305th  Cavalry. 
The  departure  of  this  band  was  attended  with  much  regret  and  its  spirited  playing  of 
the  favorite  air,"Illinois",  was  greatly  missed.  On  March  17,  notification  was  received 
that  the  letter  issued  by  The  Adjutant  General's  office  on  March  10  was  not  intended 
to  apply  to  the  33rd  Division,  which  was  to  retain  all  rifles  of  the  model  of  1903. 

^""This  School  of  Operations  was  inaugurated  by  Training  Circular  No.  62,  dated 
Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  19,  1918.  Broadly  speaking,  the  course  was 
planned  to  embrace  the  following  subjects:  (i)  organization  of  a  division  and  army 
corps;  (2)  division  and  corps  staflF;  (3)  distribution  of  staff  work;  (4)  duties  of  staff 
work;  (5)  duties  of  staff  officers  (a)  in  active  operations  and  (b)  with  respect  to  the 
training  of  a  division;  (6)  quartering  of  a  division;  and  (7)  supplying  a  division  in 
quarters. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant, 
The  band  of  the  5th  Illinois  Infantry  was  assigned  to  the  305th  Cavalry,  likewise 
at  Leon  Springs,  Texas,  and  together  with  the  band  of  the  7th  Illinois  Infantry  left 
for  the  new  station  on  March  20. 

^^On  March  24,  the  Division  Commander  was  directed  to  report  at  once  by  tele- 
gram the  number  of  men  in  each  grade  who  were  unsuited  physically  for  over-sea  service 
but  fit  for  duty  within  the  United  States. 

™Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

''^Houston  Daily  Post,  March  27,  191 8;    Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^On  March  26,  orders  were  received  relieving  Colonel  B.  C.  Smith,  National 
Army,  a  Regular  officer  temporarily  commanding  the  123rd  Field  Artillery,  and  direct- 
ing him  to  proceed  to  Camp  Lewis,  Washington,  as  soon  after  April  i  as  practicable. 
On  March  27  two  telegrams  were  received,  one  of  which  ordered  Lieutenant  Colonel 
H.  W.  Huntley  to  Camp  Gordon,  Georgia,  while  the  other  sent  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Samuel  Frankenberger  to  Camp  Travis,  Texas.     The  Division  Commander  thereupon 


314  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

wired  The  Adjutant  General  that  these  officers  had  left  Camp  Logan  about  January  30 
by  virtue  of  paragraphs  one  and  two,  Special  Order  28,  current  series,  these  head- 
quarters, issued  in  compliance  with  telegraphic  instructions  from  the  War  Department 
on  January  27. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

''^Ibid.  Colonel  Garrity  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the  132nd  Infantry  by 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Abel  Davis,  who  was  promoted  to  a  colonelcy  on  May  3.  On 
April  24,  the  resignation  of  Colonel  Garrity  was  forwarded  to  The  Adjutant  General 
and  was  accepted  a  few  days  later;  he  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the  130th  Infantry 
by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Edward  J.  Lang.  A  detachment  of  "misfits"  arrived  from  the 
2ist  Field  Artillery,  only  one  of  whom  was  not  venereally  diseased  or  out  of  the  guard 
house  and  the  following  receipt  for  them  was  given  by  the  Division  Adjutant  to  the 
officer  who  brought  them: 
"Headquarters,  33RD  Division,  Camp  Logan,  Houston,  Texas,  April  4,  191 8. 

Received  from  C.  O.,  21st  F.  A.,  24  enlisted  men,  these  24  men  being  transferred 
to  this  Division  by  Par.  13,  Special  Order  No.  74,  Headquarters  Camp  MacArthur, 
Waco,  Texas,  April  2nd,  191 8 — 4  men,  i.  e.,  Dewey  E.  Hutchinson,  Emil  Lahti,  James 
S.  Morrison  and  William  G.  Tewilliger,  enumerated  in  the  order,  not  accompanying 
the  detachment. 

Of  these  24  men,  16  have  been  sent  to  the  Base  Hospital  with  a  view  to  discharge 
on  S.  C.  D.,  8  were  sent  to  the  Division  Stockade,  5  of  the  above  24  men  having  been 
liberated  from  the  Guard  House  at  Camp  MacArthur  according  to  the  statement  of 
1st  Lieut.  Russell  Scott,  accompanying  the  detachment." 

''^''Houston  Daily  Post,  April  6,  191 8. 

^"This  table  is  compiled  from  data  in  the  Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^Division  Commander  to  The  Adjutant  General  of  the  Army,  on  the  subject  of 
"Supply  of  clothing  for  overseas  service,"  April  11,  1918. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

"See  1:26. 

^"Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^Pursuant  to  paragraph  3,  Special  Order  No.  103,  Headquarters  Camp  Logan, 
(confidential),  dated  April  19,  1918.  On  April  25,  a  telegram  from  The  Adjutant 
General  of  the  Army  relieved  Colonel  Mathew  C.  Smith  from  duty  with  the  33rd 
Division  and  ordered  him  to  "join  his  proper  station  without  delay."  To  this  General 
Bell  responded:  "Replying  to  your  telegram  relieving  Colonel  Mathew  C.  Smith 
from  further  duty  comma  inform  you  that  this  officer  left  here  about  February  thir- 
teenth in  compliance  with  your  telegraphic  instructions  February  eleventh."  Diary 
of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^See  1:2,  9,  17-18,  20,  22,  23,  28. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^iSeeKiS. 

^^On  April  27,  Captain  Phillip  G.  Shearman,  former  Assistant  Adjutant  of  the 
80th  Division  and  Camp  Adjutant  of  Camp  Lee,  Petersburg,  Virginia,  arrived  and 
reported  for  duty  as  Camp  Adjutant,  thus  relieving  Major  Huidekoper,  who  had 
acted  as  both  Division  and  Camp  Adjutant  since  the  organization  of  Camp  Logan. 
On  April  29,  General  Bell  requested  action  in  the  case  of  the  French  officers  who  had 
then  received  no  orders  from  the  French  Military  Mission  to  accompany  the  division. 


NOTES 


315 


whereas  the  British  officers  had  had  official  instructions  to  do  so.  During  the  last 
days  of  April,  1918,  detailed  instructions  were  received  from  The  Adjutant  General 
respecting  the  disposition  of  alien  enemies  and  conscientious  objectors,  and  the  report 
to  be  rendered  specifying  the  number  of  men  needed  to  bring  the  division  up  to  maximum 
strength  for  foreign  service.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  question  of  conscientious  objec- 
tors had  been  solved  months  before  (see  1:15)  and  all  alien  enemies  had  been  sent  to 
Camp  Lewis  on  April  25. 

^^The  following  entry  from  the  Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant  will  afford  a  fair 
understanding  of  the  labor  involved  by  the  arrival  of  the  recruits  on  the  eve  of  the 
departure  of  the  division: 

"On  April  2ist  about  2,600  had  been  received  from  the  86th  Division  at  Camp 
Grant  and  were  distributed  [among  various  units].  On  April  23rd  100  from  the  same 
camp  arrived  and  were  distributed  by  April  28th.  On  April  28th,  about  3,300  recruits 
from  the  88th  Division  at  Camp  Dodge  and  84th  Division  at  Camp  Taylor  were  assign- 
ed. On  April  29th,  1,000  recruits  were  received  from  the  Depot  Brigade  of  the  86th 
Division.  On  April  30th  about  850  of  these  last  1,000  men  were  assigned,  the  Division 
being  at  approximately  full  authorized  strength  that  afternoon,  including  approxi- 
mately 7,000  recruits  assigned  within  the  ten  days  preceding.  On  April  25th,  704 
alien  enemies  had  been  sent  to  Camp  Lewis,  American  Lake,  Washington.  A  number 
of  physically  unfit  and  other  aliens  had  been  assigned  to  a  Casual  Detachment  or  Pro- 
visional Regiment.  During  the  fortnight  prior  to  the  departure  of  the  Division  from 
Camp  Logan,  more  than  9,400  transfers  were  made  in  compliance  with  War  Depart- 
ment instructions." 

^■^To  replace  Major  H.  C.  Castor,  who  had  been  found  physically  unfit  for  over-sea 
service  and  recommended  for  honorable  discharge,  a  new  Assistant  Division  Adjutant 
was  secured  in  the  person  of  Major  Henry  S.  Hooker,  one  of  the  Adjutants  General  on 
duty  at  the  War  Department. 

^General  Todd  to  the  Commanding  General,  33rd  Division,  May  8  and  10  (tele- 
grams). In  the  latter  telegram,  General  Todd  stated  that  he  was  "receiving  many 
conflicting  orders  from  War  Department,  Hoboken,  and  railroad  officials  but  we  are 
doing  our  best." 

^^Partial  list  showing  the  movement  of  units  of  the  33rd  Division  from  Camp 
Logan,  Houston,  Texas,  to  Camp  Upton,  Yaphank,  Long  Island,  New  York,  in  May, 
191 8,  preparatory  to  sailing  overseas. 


DATE  OF  DEPARTURE 
FROM  CAMP  LOGAN 


DATE  OF  ARRIVAL 
AT  CAMP  UPTON 


Headquarters  Detachment  and  Head- 
quarters Troop 

122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion 

Companies  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  F,  G,  and  H, 
129th  Infantry 

Headquarters  and  Headquarters  Com 
pany,  130th  Infantry 

Companies  I,  K,  L,  and  M,  129th 
Infantry 


May  I,  1918,  noon 
May  I,  6  and  6:55  p.m, 

May  2 

May  3,  noon 

May  3,  noon 


May  5 

May  6,  1:40  p.m. 

May  7 

May  7,  11:30  P.M. 

May  8,  12:45  a.m. 


316 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Companies  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  and  F; 
Supply  Company  and  Machine  Gun. 
Company,  130th  Infantry 

Companies  G,  H,  I,  K,  L,  and  M,  and 
Sanitary  Detachment,  130th  Infan- 
try  

124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion 

Companies  A,  B,  C,  D,  E,  and  F,  132nd 
Infantry 

Companies  G  and  H,  132nd  Infantry 

Companies  I  and  K,  132nd  Infantry. 

Supply  Company  and  Machine  Gun 
Company,  132nd  Infantry.  .  .  . 

Headquarters  Company,  132nd  Infan- 
try  

Companies  L  and  M,  132nd  Infantry.  . 

Companies  A  and  B,  131st  Infantry..  . 

Companies  C  and  D,  131st  Infantry.. . 

Companies  I,  K,  L,  and  M,  131st  Infan- 
try  

Military  Police 


DATE  OF  DEPARTURE 
FROM  CAMP  LOGAN 


May  4 


May  4 
May  5 

May  5,  P.M. 

May  6 

May  6,  11:40  a.m. 

May  7,  12:30  P.M. 

May  6,  2  p.m. 
May  7,  noon 
May  7,  4:20  P.M. 
May  7,  6:10  P.M. 

May  8,  2:10  and  4  p.m, 
May  9,  II  a.m. 


DATE  OF  arrival 
AT  camp  UPTON 


May  8,  2:30,  4:30  and 

I    P.M. 

May  9,  2  and  2:30  p.m. 
May  10,  12:35  A.M. 

May  10,  6:30  P.M. 
May  10,  9:45  P.M. 
May  II,  6:40  P.M. 

May  II,  8:io  p.m. 

May  12,  6:50  p.m. 
May  12,  11:05  p.m. 
May  12,  12:45  P-^*- 
May  12,  12:45  P.M. 

May  13,  12:30  P.M. 


The  above  data  is  taken  from  the  Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant  but  is  necessarily 
incomplete  since  he  left  Camp  Upton  on  May  14,  at  5:30  a.m. 

^"The  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  proceeded  to  Camp  Merritt,  New  Jersey. 

®^0n  May  9,  Major  Oakes,  the  division  ordnance  officer,  reported  to  General  Bell 
that  on  the  previous  day,  at  the  office  of  the  ordnance  officer  at  the  port  of  embarka- 
tion, he  complained  of  the  impossibility  of  obtaining  the  ordnance  promised  to  the 
33rd  Division  and  asked  to  be  shown  the  official  records.  His  examination  of  these 
records  disclosed  that  up  to  May  8,  1918,  the  United  States  had  shipped  abroad  only 
ten  Browning  automatic  rifles;  that  it  contemplated  shipping  twelve  more  automatic 
rifles;  but  that  no  Browning  machine  guns  had  then  been  shipped  overseas.  Diary 
of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^  These  movements  and  the  composition  of  each  detachment  were  prescribed  by 
paragraphs  i,  3,  4,  and  5,  Special  Order  No.  120,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  issued 
on  May  7,  1918,  and  by  paragraph  2,  Special  Order  121,  dated  May  8,  1918. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^At  5:30  a.m.  on  May  14,  a  detachment  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  J.  Lang, 
i3Dth  Infantry,  composed  of  Company  M,  129th  Infantry,  antd  a  number  of  officers, 
left  Camp  Upton  for  Hoboken  in  compliance  with  paragraph  5,  Special  Order  No.  124, 
dated  May  11,  1918.  It  was  followed  on  May  15,  by  the  132nd  Infantry  (less  Com- 
panies K  and  L)  and  the  130th  Infantry  (less  Company  M),  and  on  May  16  by  the 
following  units:  33rd  Division  Headquarters;  Headquarters  Troop;  Companies  K 
and  L,  132nd  Infantry;  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion;  66th  Infantry  Brigade  Head- 
quarters;  Company  M,  130th  Infantry;   Company  I,  129th  Infantry;    123rd  Machine 


NOTES  317 

Gun  Battalion;  and  the  surplus  officers  of  the  132nd  Infantry.  These  movements 
were  directed  by  paragraph  6,  Special  Order  No.  124,  dated  May  11,  1918. 

^^Captain  Lloyd,  the  personnel  officer  representing  the  port  of  embarkation  at 
Camp  Upton,  officially  stated  that,  of  all  the  divisions  which  had  passed  through  that 
ramp  since  October,  1917,  the  33rd  was  unique  in  the  accuracy  and  completeness  of  its 
records,  and  that  the  first  perfect  passenger  list  submitted  to  him  was  that  of  the  I22nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion.     Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^The  details  connected  with  the  over-sea  movement  of  the  33rd  Division  are  fully 
set  forth  in  appendix  i,  but  for  the  convenience  of  the  reader  the  information  therein 
contained  is  here  repeated. 

The  io8th  Engineers  (Colonel  Henry  A.  Allen)  and  the  io8th  Engineer  Train 
sailed  from  Hoboken,  New  Jersey,  on  May  8,  191 8,  in  the  transport  George  Washington 
and  arrived  at  Brest,  France,  on  May  18.  The  headquarters  of  the  65th  Infantry 
Brigade  (Brigadier  General  Henry  R.  Hill)  and  the  129th  Infantry  (Colonel  Charles  H. 
Greene),  less  the  3rd  Battalion  and  Company  H,  sailed  on  May  10,  1918,  in  the  Coving- 
Ion,  reaching  Brest  on  May  23.  The  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  (Major  David  R. 
Swaim)  sailed  on  May  10  in  the  Lenape,  arriving  at  Brest  on  May  23.  Company  H, 
129th  Infantry,  sailed  on  May  10  in  the  President  Lincoln,  and  likewise  reached  Brest 
on  May  23.  On  May  16,  the  Division  Commander  (Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr.), 
the  Division  Staff,  the  Headquarters  Detachment,  the  Headquarters  Troop,  (Captain 
Herbert  W.  Styles),  the  132nd  Infantry  (Colonel  Abel  Davis),  and  the  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  (Major  Floyd  F.  Putnam),  sailed  in  the  Mount  Vernon,  arriving  at 
Brest  on  May  24.  The  headquarters  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade  (Brigadier  General 
Paul  A.  Wolf),  the  130th  Infantry  (Lieutenant  Colonel  Edward  J.  Lang),  and  the 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  (Major  Albert  L.  Culbertson),  sailed  on  May  16  in  the 
Agamemnon  and  likewise  reached  Brest  on  May  24.  The  131st  Infantry  (Colonel 
Joseph  B.  Sanborn),  the  Headquarters  Train  and  Military  Police  (Colonel  John  V. 
Clinnin),  and  the  io8th  Supply  Train  (Major  Frederick  S.  Haines),  sailed  in  the 
Leviathan  on  May  22  and  arrived  at  Brest  on  May  31.  The  58th  Field  Artillery 
Brigade  sailed  on  May  26,  191 8,  in  four  transports  which  reached  Liverpool,  England, 
on  June  8.  In  the  Kashmir  were  the  122nd  Field  Artillery  (Colonel  Milton  J.  Fore- 
man), the  io8th  Trench  Mortar  Battery  (Captain  Charles  Kraft),  and  the  io8th 
Mobile  Ordnance  Repair  Shop  (First  Lieutenant  T.  Worthington,  Jr.);  in  the  Scotian, 
the  123rd  Field  Artillery  (Colonel  Charles  G.  Davis);  in  the  Melita,  the  124th  Field 
Artillery  (Colonel  Horatio  B.  Hackett),  and  the  io8th  Field  Signal  Battalion  (Major 
John  P.  Lucas);  and  in  the  City  of  Poona,  the  loSth  Ammunition  Train  (Major 
Samuel  N.  Sorenson).  The  headquarters  of  the  58th  Field  z'\rtillery  Brigade  (Brigadier 
General  Henry  D.  Todd,  Jr.)  sailed  in  the  Mauretania  on  June  4  and  arrived  at  Liver- 
pool on  June  11.  The  io8th  Sanitary  Train  (Lieutenant  Colonel  Harry  D.  Orr), 
sailed  on  June  4  in  the  Adriatic  and  reached  Liverpool  on  June  1 5. 

^^The  convoy  composed  of  the  Mount  Vernon  and  the  Agamemnon,  which  sailed 
on  May  16,  1918,  was  the  first  to  carry  a  fifty  per  cent  surplus  of  troops  overseas. 
Each  ship,  although  only  2o,ood  tons  burden,  carried  within  a  few  men  of  5,000.  So 
successful  was  this  experiment  that  it  was  put  into  practice  on  subsequent  transports. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^Statements  of  Colonels  Sanborn  and  Clinnin,  Major  Hendrie  and  Lieutenant 
Biederman. 


CHAPTER  II 

^"May  24th,  1918:  Brigade  Headquarters  (6  officers,  23  men)  and  129th  Infantry, 
less  Co.  H,  and  3rd  Battalion  (68  officers,  2,282  men)  debarked  from  U.  S  S.  'Coving- 
ton', at  Brest,  France,  Base  Section  No.  5,  at  12:00  o'clock  noon.  All  troops  marched 
five  kilometers  to  Pontanezen  Barracks.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  the  barracks  were 
overcrowded  and  that  there  were  a  number  of  cases  of  scarlet  fever  within  the  regi- 
ment, troops  made  shelter  tent  camp  on  Plots  17,  19  and  21,  near  the  main  road  ^ 
kilometer  northeast  of  the  barracks.  Plot  21  was  designated  as  a  quarantine  camp 
and  all  contact  cases  were  assigned  to  that  plot. 

"Co.  H,  129th  Infantry  (5  officers,  235  men)  debarked  from  the  U.  S.  S.  'President 
Lincoln'  at  Brest,  France,  at  3:00  p.m.,  and  marched  to  Plot  17,  Camp  Pontanezen, 
arriving  at  7:00  p.m."  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade, 
2:563. 

^See  2:19. 

^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^Ibid.;  Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  Brigadier  General  Paul  A. 
Wolf,  from  May  16  to  November  11,  1918,  3:26. 

^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:565. 

^"May  27th.  Upon  arrival  in  Abbeville,  Brigade  Headquarters  were  bombed  by 
enemy  air-planes,  thus  making  an  interval  of  eighteen  days  between  leaving  original 
point  of  departure  in  U.  S.  and  coming  under  enemy  fire — a  record."  Operations  of 
the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:26. 

^Training  Circular  No.  117,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  June  4,  1918;  Operations 
of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:26. 

^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  June  26,  191 8,  2:315. 

^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

'^See  Field  Order  No.  i.  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  June  8,  1918,  2:137. 
Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:567;  Operations  of  the  66th 
Infantry  Brigade,  3:26. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^-As  directed  by  Training  Circular  No.  120,  June  8,  1918.  The  strength  of  the 
division  on  June  12,  1918,  was  504  officers  and  15,198  enlisted  men  available  for  duty. 

^^The  training  followed  during  this  period  was  prescribed  in  detail  by  Training 
Circulars,  Nos.  116  to  124,  June  4-June  12,  1918.  See  also  Operations  of  the  66th 
Infantry  Brigade  and  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  appen- 
dixes 20  and  16.  A  comprehensive  account  of  this  training  will  be  found  in  the  Report 
of  the  Division  Commander  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  A.  E.  F.,  on  "Training 
higher  commanders  of  divisions  with  British,"  August  12,  1918.     See  2:342. 

^*A  list  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  33rd  Division  who  were  sent  to  various 
schools  will  be  found  in  appendix  6. 

^^On  June  12,  1918,  the  Assistant  Chief  of  Staff,  the  G-i,  the  G-2,  the  Division 
Adjutant  and  two  captains  were  ordered  to  the  Army  General  Staff  College  at  Langres. 
^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  June  14,  1918,  2:312;  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  November  26,  191 8,  2:539. 

^^On  June  15  the  108th  Field  Signal  Battalion  rejoined  the  33rd  Division  and  was 

318 


NOTES  319 

stationed  at  Eu.  On  that  same  day  the  Headquarters,  Companies  A,  D,  G,  Headquar- 
ters Company,  Supply  Company  and  Medical  Detachment  of  the  129th  Infantry 
arrived.     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:569. 

^^Field  Orders,  33rd  Division,  Nos.  2  nd  3,  fune  19,  1918,  2:140,145;  War  Diary, 
33rd  Division,  2:313;  Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:26;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:570.  The  headquarters  of  the  90th  and 
198th  Infantry  Brigades,  British  Expeditionary  Forces,  and  the  British  Battalion 
cadres  accompanied  the  33rd  Division.  On  the  other  hand,  the  artillery,  the  io8th 
Engineers,  the  engineer,  sanitary,  ammunition,  and  supply  trains  did  not  follow  the 
movement. 

^^On  June  26  the  io8th  Sanitary  Train  rejoined  the  33rd  Division. 

""Subsequently  named  by  the  British  the  "Illinois  Line." 

^^Instructions  were  received  from  the  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  Fourth  British  Army  to 
transfer  the  66th  Brigade  to  the  area  of  the  Ilird  Corps  and  the  122nd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion  to  the  Long  area  (Order  No.  10/26  (G),  Fourth  British  Army,  B.  E.  F., 
June  27,  191 8),  but  these  dispositions  were  revoked  before  the  movements  took  place. 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  July  2,  1918,  2:316. 

^^On  June  21,  1918,  the  colonels  of  the  129th,  130th,  131st  and  132nd  Infantry 
Regiments  were  sent  to  Grantham,  England,  to  attend  the  fifteenth  senior  officers' 
course  at  the  Machine  Gun  Training  School.  See  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:570.  On  June  27,  sixty  officers  and  sixt '-eight  men  were 
sent  to  the  Infantry  Specialists'  School  at  Langres,  and  on  July  i  two  officers  were  sent 
to  the  Army  Engineers'  School  at  the  same  place.     See  2:347. 

^■'Training  Circulars,  Nos.  125  to  136,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  June  13  to 
July  I,  1918;  Division  Commander's  report,  August  12,  1918,  2:342;  War  Dairy,  33rd 
Division,  2:312-316;  Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:26;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:569-572. 

^""See  report  of  the  Division  Commander  to  the  Commanding  General,  Ilnd  Corps, 
July  8,  1918,  2:425. 

^^The  1st  Platoon  of  Company  A,  131st  Infantry,  was  assigned  to  Company  A, 
42nd  Australian  BattaHon,  the  2nd  to  Company  B,  the  3rd  to  Company  C,  and  the 
4th  Platoon  to  Company  D.  Of  Company  E,  131st  Infantry,  the  ist  Platoon  was 
assigned  to  Company  B,  the  2nd  to  Company  C,  the  3rd  to  Company  A,  and  the  4th 
Platoon  to  Company  D,  all  of  the  43rd  Australian  Battalion. 

In  the  case  of  Company  A,  132nd  Infantry,  which  was  attached  to  the  13th 
Australian  Battalion,  and  of  Company  G,  132nd  Infantry,  attached  to  the  15th 
Australian  Battalion,  the  ist  Platoon  was  assigned  to  Company  A,  the  2nd  to  Com- 
pany B,  the  3rd  to  Company  C,  and  the  4th  Platoon  to  Company  D. 

^^Report  of  the  Division  Commander,  July  8,  1918,2:425;  131st  Infantry:  Engage- 
ment at  Hamel,  July  4-5,  191 8,  2:361. 

General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson's  response  to  Field  Marshal  Sir  Douglas  Haig  was 
apparently  based  upon  the  firm  stand  taken  by  Lieutenant  General  Sir  John  Monash, 
commanding  the  Australian  Army  Corps.  In  his  remarkably  interesting  and  valuable 
book.  The  Australian  Victories  in  France  in  /^/'V,  Sir  John  declares  (page  44)  that  the 
absence  of  an  Allied  offensive  of  any  real  magnitude  on  the  British  fronts  since  Passch- 
endaele  in  the  autumn  of  1917  demanded  a  demonstration  to  the  enemy  "that  there 


320  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

was  still  some  kick  left  in  the  British  Army."  He  therefore  broached  the  question  of 
an  offensive  against  "the  Hamel  re-entrant"  which  had  been  a  source  of  annoyance 
and  anxiety  to  him  for  two  months.  At  General  Rawlinson's  request,  he  submitted 
a  concrete  proposal  in  writing  and,  upon  receiving  prompt  approval,  took  exceptional 
care  in  planning  all  the  details  of  this  important  action  (pages  44-51). 

The  contretemps  which  occurred  within  twelve  hours  of  the  time  set  for  the  attack 
as  well  as  the  events  connected  with  it  are  thus  graphically  described  by  Sir  John 
(pages  51-54): 

.  "The  final  Corps  Conference  for  the  battle  of  Hamel  was  held  at  Bertrangles  on 
June  30th,  and  the  date  of  the  battle  itself  was  fixed  for  July  4th.  This  selection  was 
prompted  partly  by  the  desire  to  allow  ample  time  for  the  completion  of  all  arrange- 
ments; but  there  were  also  sentimental  grounds,  because  this  was  the  anniversary  of 
the  American  national  holiday,  and  a  considerable  contingent  of  the  United  States 
Army  was  to  co-operate  in  the  night. 

For  some  weeks  previously  the  33rd  American  Division,  under  Major-General 
John  [George]  Bell,  had  been  training  in  the  Fourth  Army  area,  and  its  several 
regiments  had  been  distributed,  for  training  and  trench  experience,  to  the  Australian 
and  the  III.  Corps.  I  had  applied  to  the  Fourth  Army  and  had  received  approval  to 
employ  in  the  battle  a  contingent  equivalent  in  strength  to  two  British  battalions, 
or  a  total  of  about  2,000  men,  organized  in  eight  companies.  [The  original  plan 
contemplated  the  use  of  the  "equivalent  of  one  battalion"  from  the  33rd  Division, 
i.e.,  ten  companies  or  2,500  men].  The  very  proper  condition  was  attached,  however, 
that  these  Americans  should  not  be  split  up  and  scattered  individually  among  the 
Australians,  but  should  fight  at  least  as  complete  platoons,  under  their  own  platoon 
leaders. 

All  went  well  until  three  days  before  the  appointed  date,  when  General  Rawllnson 
conveyed  to  me  the  instruction  that,  the  matter  having  been  reconsidered,  only  1,000 
Americans  were  to  be  used.  Strongly  averse,  as  I  was,  from  embarrassing  the  Infantry 
plans  of  General  Maclagan,  to  whom  I  had  entrusted  the  conduct  of  the  actual  assault, 
it  was  not  then  too  late  to  rearrange  the  distribution. 

The  four  [six]  companies  of  United  States  troops  who,  under  this  decision, 
had  to  be  withdrawn  were  loud  in  their  lamentations,  but  the  remaining  four  companies 
were  distributed  by  platoons  among  the  troops  of  the  three  Australian  Brigades  who 
were  to  carry  out  the  attack — each  American  platoon  being  assigned  a  definite  place 
in  the  line  of  battle.  The  dispositions  of  the  main  body  of  Australian  infantry  were 
based  upon  this  arrangement. 

In  the  meantime,  somewhere  in  the  upper  realms  of  high  control,  a  discussion  must 
have  been  going  on  as  to  the  propriety  of  after  all  allowing  any  American  troops  at  all 
to  participate  in  the  forthcoming  operations.  Whether  the  objections  were  founded 
upon  policy,  or  upon  an  under-estimate  of  the  fitness  of  these  troops  for  offensive 
fighting,  I  have  never  been  able  to  ascertain;  but,  to  my  consternation,  I  received 
about  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  July  3rd,  a  telephone  message  from  Lord  Raw- 
linson  to  the  effect  that  it  had  now  been  decided  that  no  American  troops  were  to  be 
used  next  day. 

I  was,  at  the  moment,  while  on  my  daily  round  of  visits  to  Divisions  and  Brigades, 
at  the  Headquarters  of  the  Third  Division,  at  Glisy,  and  far  from  my  own  station. 
I  could  only  request  that  the  Army  Commander  might  be  so  good  as  to  corne  at  once 


NOTES  321 

to  the  forward  area  and  meet  me  at  Bussy-les-Daours,  the  Headquarters  of  Maclagan — 
he  being  the  Commander  immediately  affected  by  this  proposed  change  of  plan.  In 
due  course  we  all  met  at  five  o'clock,  Rawlinson  being  accompanied  by  Montgomery, 
his  Chief-of-StafF. 

It  was  a  meeting  full  of  tense  situations — and  of  grave  import.  At  that  moment 
of  time,  the  whole  of  the  Infantry  destined  for  the  assault  at  dawn  next  morning, 
including  those  very  Americans,  was  already  well  on  its  way  to  its  battle  stations;  the 
Artillery  was  in  the  act  of  dissolving  its  defensive  organization  with  a  view  to  moving 
forward  into  its  battle  emplacements  as  soon  as  dusk  should  fail;  I  well  knew  that  even 
if  orders  could  still  with  certainty  reach  the  battalions  concerned,  the  withdrawal  of 
those  Americans  would  result  in  untold  confusion  and  in  dangerous  gaps  in  our  line  of 
battle. 

Even  had  I  then  been  ready  to  risk  the  success  of  the  battle  by  going  ahead 
without  them,  I  could  not  afford  to  take  the  further  risk  of  the  occurrence  of  something 
in  the  nature  of  an  'international  incident'  between  the  troops  concerned,  whose 
respective  points  of  view  about  the  resulting  situation  could  be  readily  surmised.  So 
I  resolved  to  take  a  firm  stand  and  press  my  views  as  strongly  as  I  dared;  for  even  a 
Corps  Commander  must  use  circumspection  when  presuming  to  argue  with  an  Army 
Commander. 

However,  disguised  in  the  best  diplomatic  language  that  I  was  able  to  command, 
my  representations  amounted  to  this:  firstly,  that  it  was  already  too  late  to  carry  out 
the  order;  secondly,  that  the  battle  would  have  to  go  on  either  with  the  Americans 
participating,  or  not  at  all;  thirdly,  that  unless  I  were  expressly  ordered  to  abandon 
the  battle,  I  intended  to  go  on  as  originally  planned;  and  lastly,  that  unless  I  received 
such  a  cancellation  order  before  6.30  p.m.  it  would  in  any  case  be  too  late  to  stop  the 
battle,  the  preliminary  phases  of  which  were  just  on  the  point  of  beginning. 

As  always.  Lord  Rawllnson's  charming  and  sympathetic  personality  made  it  easy 
to  lay  my  whole  case  before  him.  He  was  good  enough  to  say  that  while  he  entirely 
agreed  with  me,  he  felt  himself  bound  by  the  terms  of  a  clear  order  from  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief. My  last  resource,  then,  was  to  urge  the  argument  that  I  felt 
perfectly  sure  that  the  Commander-in-Chief  when  giving  such  an  order  could  not  have 
had  present  to  his  mind  the  probability  that  compliance  with  it  meant  the  abandon- 
ment of  the  battle,  and  that,  under  the  circumstances,  it  was  competent  for  the  senior 
Commander  on  the  spot  to  act  in  the  light  of  the  situation  as  known  to  him,  even  to 
the  extent  of  disobeying  an  order. 

Rawlinson  agreed  that  this  view  was  correct  provided  the  Commander-in-Chief 
was  not  accessible  for  reference.  Repeated  attempts  to  raise  General  Headquarters 
from  Bussy  eventually  elicited  the  information  that  the  Field  Marshal  was  then  actual- 
ly on  his  way  from  Versailles,  and  expected  to  arrive  in  half  an  hour.  Thereupon 
Rawlinson  promised  a  decision  by  6.30,  and  we  separated  to  rejoin  our  respective 
Headquarters. 

In  due  course  the  Army  Commander  telephoned  that  he  had  succeeded  in  speaking 
to  the  Field  Marshal,  who  explained  that  he  had  directed  the  withdrawal  of  the  Ameri- 
cans in  deference  to  the  wish  of  General  Pershing,  but  that,  as  matters  stood,  he  now 
wished  everything  to  go  on  as  originally  planned.  And  so — the  crisis  passed  as  sud- 
denly as  it  had  appeared.     For,  to  me  it  had  taken  the  form  of  a  very  serious  crisis, 

feeling  confident  as  I  did  of  the  success  of  the  forthcoming  battle,  and  of  the  far- 
h) 


322  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

reaching  consequences  which  would  be  certain  to  follow.  It  appeared  to  me  at  the 
time  that  great  issues  had  hung  for  an  hour  or  so  upon  the  chance  of  my  being  able  to 
carry  my  point." 

^^The  position  is  thus  described  in  the  report  of  the  commanding  officer,  131st 
Infantry: 

"The  town  of  Hamel  is  located  about  2000  yards  south  of  the  River  Somme,  5000 
yards  east  of  the  town  of  Corbie  and  about  5500  yards  a  little  south  of  west  of  the  town 
of  Chipilly.  .  .  .  The  object  of  this  battle  was  to  take  a  triangular  piece  of  territory 
about  5000  yards  long  and  about  2000  yards  deep  at  its  northern  end  which  constituted 
a  dominating  piece  on  the  ridge  just  east  of  Hamel  from  which  the  enemy  had  good 
observation  on  our  front  line  system.  The  taking  of  this  salient  would  also  straighten 
out  our  lines  crossing  the  Somme  River  at  Sailly-Laurette,  thence  extending  along  the 
top  of  the  ridge  southeast  of  Hamel." 

^^The  4th  Australian  Division  was  composed  of  the  4th  and  6th  Australian 
Brigades.     The  nth  Australian  Brigade  was  attached  for  this  particular  operation. 

^"See  map  20,  volume  4. 

^^ijist  Infantry:  Engagement  at  Hamel,  2:361;  15th  Battalion  Order  No.  45, 
July  2,  1918,  2:397. 

^^The  troops  in  the  6th  Australian  Brigade  were  not  the  only  ones  to  suffer  from 
defective  barrage.  A  large  proportion  of  the  casualties  in  Company  E,  131st  Infantry, 
which  operated  with  the  nth  Australian  Brigade  was  due  to  the  same  cause.  See 
Report  of  Captain  James  W.  Luke,  Company  E,  131st  Infantry,  on  action  of  July  4-5, 
1918,  2:369. 

^'Report  of  Division  Commander,  July  8,  1918;  131st  Infantry:  Engagement  at 
Hamel;  Report  of  Operations  of  132nd  Infantry,  Hamel  and  Vaire  Woods,  July  4, 
1918;  Narrative  of  Commanding  Officer,  15th  Australian  Battalion;  Report  of  Captain 
C.  M.  Gale,  Company  C,  131st  Infantry,  on  action  of  July  4-5,  1918;  Report  of  Captain 
James  W.  Luke,  Company  E,  131st  Infantry,  on  action  of  July  4-5,  1918;  Report  of 
Captain  J.  R.  Weaver,  132nd  Infantry,  on  operations  of  July  4-5  at  Hamel  and  Vaire; 
Report  of  Captain  William  J.  Masoner,  Company  G,  132nd  Infantry;  Report  of 
Captain  Robert  G.  Hagan,  Company  1, 132nd  Infantry,  on  operations  of  July  4-5, 1918, 
at  Hamel  and  Vaire;  Report  of  Captain  George  H.  Mallon,  132nd  Infantry,  on  opera- 
tions of  July  4-5,  1918,  at  Hamel  and  Vaire;  Report  of  First  Lieutenant  Frank  E. 
Schram,  Medical  Corps,  attached  to  132nd  Infantry,  on  operations  of  July  4-5,  1918, 
at  Hamel  and  Vaire.  All  these  report  will  be  found  in  appendix  7.  A  brief  but  most 
excellent  account  of  the  battle  of  Hamel  is  given  by  Lieutenant  General  Sir  John 
Monash,  in  The  Australian  Victories  in  France  in  igi8,  pp.  55-61, 

^*i3ist  Infantry:  Engagement  at  Hamel;  Narrative  of  Commanding  Officer,  15th 
Australian  Battalion,  2:399;  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  July  4,  1918,  2:316. 

^^It  was  in  this  engagement  that  the  Americans  raised  the  shout  of  "Lusitania" 
as  they  charged.  After  this  battle,  a  story  was  widely  circulated  throughout  the 
British  Army  and  in  England  that  the  Australians,  when  asked  their  opinion  of  the 
American  troops,  replied,  "They  are  good  soldiers,  but  a  bit  rough."  A  similar  story 
is  also  told  by  General  Ludendorff  in  his  narrative  of  the  war.  As  the  American  com- 
panies were  returning  to  their  commands  the  day  after  Hamel,  they  were  met  by  an 
Australian  colonel  who  began  to  address  them  in  a  decidedly  formal  manner  but  ended 
by  blurting  out:   "Yanks,  you're  fighting  fools,  but  I'm  for  you!" 


NOTES  323 

^^War  Diary  of  the  General  Staff,  Headquarters  Australian  Corps,  2:380;  Opera- 
tions by  the  Australian  Corps  against  Hamel,  Bois  de  Hamel,  and  Bois  de  Vaire,  4th 
of  July,  191 8  (British  official  document.  Staff  Sheet  218,  July,  191 8),  p.  10;  Lieutenant 
General  Sir  John  Monash,  The  Australian  Victories  in  France  in  J918,  p.  57. 

^^The  American  losses  were:  Companies  C  and  E,  131st  Infantry:  Officers,  none 
killed,  3  wounded — one  very  severely;  other  ranks,  7  killed,  47  wounded,  4  missing; 
Companies  A  and  G,  132nd  Infantry:  officers,  none  killed,  5  slightly  wounded; 
other  ranks,  17  killed,  76  wounded,  17  missing. 

^^The  success  gained  at  Hamel  contributed  to  an  extraordinary  degree  to  restore 
the  morale  of  the  British,  which  had  necessarily  been  greatly  affected  by  their  reverses 
in  March  and  April,  1918.  Moreover,  this  operation — which  was  remarkable  for  its 
precision  and  which  was  executed  absolutely  according  to  plan — was  notable  for  the 
brilliant  work  of  the  tanks,  of  which  sixty-four  participated  (i.e.,  sixty  fighting  tanks 
and  four  infantry  supply  tanks)  and  only  five  were  disabled.  The  Australians  had 
had  an  unfortunate  experience  with  the  tanks  at  Bullecourt  in  1917  and  were  skep- 
tical as  to  their  efficiency,  but  Hamel  effectually  dispelled  all  doubts  on  that  score. 
The  restoration  both  of  the  British  morale  and  the  confidence  of  the  infantry  in  the 
tanks — both  of  which  were  in  turn  dependent  upon  securing  proper  coordination 
between  infantry,  artillery,  tanks  and  aeroplanes — was  a  necessary  prelude  to  success 
in  any  offensive  on  a  grand  scale.  A  series  of  minor  operations,  initiated  for  that 
purpose  by  General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson  at  the  instigation  of  Lieutenant  General  Sir 
John  Monash,  commanding  the  Australian  Army  Corps,  achieved  the  desired  result 
and  exercised  a  correspondingly  depressing  effect  upon  the  Germans.  Hamel,  which 
was  the  most  notable  of  these  operations,  marked  the  turn  of  the  tide  which  reached 
its  flood  when  the  British  Somme  Offensive — "The  Hundred  Days" — terminated  at 
Mons  on  November  11,  191 8,  after  one  of  the  most  remarkable  campaigns  in  the  annals 
of  war. 

Sir  John  Monash  declares,  (page  64),  apropos  of  Hamel,  that  "The  moral  results 
both  on  the  enemy  and  on  ourselves  were  far  more  important,  and  deserve  far  more 
emphasis  than  do  the  material  gains. 

"It  was,  as  I  have  said,  the  first  offensive  operation,  on  any  substantial  scale,  that 
had  been  fought  by  any  of  the  Allies  since  the  previous  autumn.  Its  effect  was  electric, 
and  it  stimulated  many  men  to  the  realization  that  the  enemy  was,  after  all,  not  invul- 
nerable, in  spite  of  the  formidable  increase  in  his  resources  which  he  had  brought  from 
Russia.  It  marked  the  termination,  once  and  for  all,  of  the  purely  defensive  attitude 
of  the  British  front.  It  incited  in  many  quarters  an  examination  of  the  possibilities  of 
offensive  action  on  similar  lines  by  similar  means — a  changed  attitude  of  mind,  which 
bore  a  rich  harvest  only  a  very  few  weeks  later. 

"  But  its  effect  on  the  enemy  was  even  more  startling.  His  whole  front  from  Ancre 
to  Villers-Bretonneux  had  become  unstable,  and  was  reeling  from  the  blow.  ..." 

In  his  brilliant  and  most  interesting  work  entitled.  The  Last  Four  Months:  How 
the  War  was  Won,  Major  General  Sir  Frederick  Maurice,  former  Director  of  Military 
Operations  of  the  British  General  Staff,  declares  (page  89)  that,  as  a  result  of  Hamel, 
"when  the  crisis  came  both  men  and  material  were  ready.  Tanks  made  surprise,  that 
greatest  weapon  of  generalship,  much  easier  than  it  had  been;  they  saved  life  and 
economised  troops,  and,  therefore,  that  quick  succession  of  punches  for  which  Foch 


324  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

was  seeking  his  opportunity  became  possible."  The  logical  sequel  of  Hamel  was  the 
battle  of  Amiens,  which  began  on  August  8,  191 8,  the  blackest  day  of  the  war  for 
Germany,  according  to  General  LudendorfF.  In  that  battle,  the  plan  of  attack  was 
based,  to  a  large  measure,  "on  the  experience  gained  at  Hamel;"  "the  moral  ascen- 
dency established  by  tanks,  artillery  and  infantry  working  in  combination" — of  which 
Hamel  was  the  first  instance — ''  affected  both  private  and  general  in  the  German  army" 
and  the  victory  achieved  was  attributable  to  the  fact  that  "  the  lessons  of  Hamel  had 
been  applied  on  a  great  scale,  and  with  complete  success." 

^^Sir  John  Monash  asserts  (page  59)  that  the  troops  of  the  33rd  Division  who 
fought  at  Hamel  "acquitted  themselves  most  gallantly  and  were  ever  after  received 
by  the  Australians  as  blood  brothers — a  fraternity  which  operated  to  great  mutual 
advantage  nearly  three  months  later." 

The  commander  of  the  15th  Australian  Battalion  reported  that  "The  Americans 
attached  to  us  deserve  special  mention  for  their  part  in  the  operation.  They  behaved 
magnificently,  but  were  rather  anxious  to  get  too  close  to  our  barrage  (a  very  common 
fault  with  new  troops).  There  is  not  the  slightest  doubt  that  they  possess  all  the 
qualities  required  to  make  first  rate  fighting  troops." 

'^''These  three  communications  were  published  to  the  33rd  Division  in  General 
Orders  Nos.  105  and  106  on  July  5  and  6,  1918,  respectively. 

^^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:573;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:636. 

^^Reports  of  Captains  Gale,  Luke,  and  Weaver  on  action  of  July  4-5,  at  Hamel  and 
Vaire,  2:368,  370,  373. 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:319. 

^This  training  was  prescribed  in  detail  by  Training  Circulars,  Nos.  125  to  184, 
issued  by  the  Headquarters  of  the  33rd  Division. 

^^See  report  of  Division  Commander,  August  12,  1918,  and  other  papers  in  2:342. 
See  also  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:3i8ff.  Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade, 
3:27;  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:574ff. 

*^See  1:41-42.  Brigadier  General  Henry  R.  Hill  was  relieved  from  the  command 
of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade  on  July  16  and  was  succeeded  by  Brigadier  General 
Edward  L.  King  on  July  30.  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade, 
2:575. 

^'^The  175th  Infantry  Brigade  (British)  was  composed  of  the  9th,  loth,  and  12th 
Battalions  of  the  London  Regiment,  the  3rd  Battalion  of  the  132nd  Artillery  Regiment 
and  the  175th  Trench  Mortar  Battery.  The  174th  Infantry  Brigade  comprised  the 
6th,  7th,  and  8th  Battalions  of  the  London  Regiment  and  the  174th  Trench  Mortar 
Battery.  These  two  Brigades  formed  part  of  the  58th  London  Division,  the  174th 
being  the  Reserve  Brigade. 

^^The  casualties  in  the  131st  Infantry  were: 

August  9-10. 
Killed:        Officers,  5;   enlisted  men,  46. 
Wounded:  Officers,  9;   enlisted  men,  325.     Total  385. 

August  11-16. 
Killed:         Officers,  i;   enlisted  men,  26. 
Wounded:  Officers,  4;   enlisted  men,  339.     Total:   370.     Grand  total,  755. 


NOTES  325 

*^Report  on  Operations  of  131st  Infantry,  August  8-9-10,  1918:  Gressaire  Wood 
Engagement,  August  18,  1918;  Report  on  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  August  9, 
1918;  Letter  of  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Commanding  General,  33rd 
Division,  August  19,  1918;  Memorandum  on  "The  Fight  for  Chipilly  Ridge  and 
Gressaire  Woods"  on  August  9,  1918,  prepared  by  the  Chief  of  Staff,  33rd  Division; 
letter  of  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Frederic  L. 
Huidekoper,  November  21,  191 8.     See  appendix  8. 

^''This  telegram  and  letter  were  published  to  the  33rd  Division  in  General  Order 
No.  115,  August  II,  1918. 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:322-324. 

^^See  Report  of  Division  Commander,  August  12,  191 8,  2:342. 

^^Training  Circulars,  Nos.  155  to  160,  Headquarters  33rd  Division. 

^^Between  June  27  and  August  15,  191 8,  99  officers  and  260  enlisted  men  were  sent 
to  such  schools  as  the  Machine  Gun  Training  Centre  at  Grantham,  England,  the 
Machine  Gun  School  at  Havre,  the  Infantry  Specialists',  the  Infantry  Candidates'  and 
the  Army  Engineer  Schools  at  Langres,  and  the  Gas  Defense  Schools  at  Chaumont  and 
Gondrecourt. 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:324;  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry 
Brigade,  2:584-585.  The  principal  features  of  the  work  each  day  at  the  Headquarters 
of  the  33rd  Division  were  summarized  in  the  Journal  of  Operations,  2:463. 

^®The  correspondence  in  connection  with  the  King's  visit  and  the  names  of  the 
officers  and  men  decorated  by  him  on  that  occasion  will  be  found  in  2:428. 

^^" August  i8th,  1918:  ....  Col.  C.  H.  Greene  relieved  from  command  of  the 
129th  Infantry.  Colonel  Edgar  A.  Myer  assumed  command  of  the  regiment."  Chron- 
ological Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:585. 

^^Field  Order  No.  16,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  2:175. 

^^Cf.  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:585-586. 

^°For  the  letter  from  Major  General  Higginson,  commanding  12th  Division, 
British  Expeditionary  Forces,  commending  the  excellent  work  of  the  108 th  Engineers, 
see  2:446,  This  letter  was  published  to  the  33rd  Division  in  General  Order  No.  128, 
September  11,  1918.  A  brief  account  of  the  work  of  this  regiment  while  on  the 
British  front  is  given  in  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers, 
November  26,  191 8,     See  2:537  ff- 

^^These  letters  were  published  to  the  33rd  Division  in  General  Orders  No.  119, 
August  22,  191 8,  2:444. 

^^Memoranda  furnished  by  the  Assistant  Division  Adjutant,  Major  Henry  S. 
Hooker — in  civil  life  a  law  partner  of  Mr.  Roosevelt;  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:586;  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:641. 

^^Less  the  artillery,  and  the  ammunition  and  supply  trains,  none  of  which  had 
rejoined. 

^*War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  for  August  29,  191 8,  2:325.  The  positions  occupied 
that  day  by  the  33rd  Division  were  as  follows:  Division  Headquarters,  Headquarters 
Troop,  io8th  Field  Signal  Battalion,  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police,  Tron- 
ville;  io8th  Sanitary  Train,  Menil-sur-Saulx;  io8th  Engineers,  Gery;  65th  Infantry 
Brigade,  Velaines;  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  Guerpont. 

^^Training  Circular,  No.  161,  dated  August  26,  1918. 

^^Confidential  Memoranda,  Nos.  i  and  2. 


326  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  August  31,  1918,  2:326. 

^^See  Addendum  to  Field  Order  No.fi6,  2:182. 

^^Confidential  Memoranda,  Nos.  3  and  4. 

'''War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  September  2,  191 8,  2:326;  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:587. 

'^See  3:207. 

'^ar  Diary,  33rd  Division,  September  4,  1918,  2:326;  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:588. 

'^Paragraph  i,  Special  Order  No.  134,  Headquarters  First  Army,  September  5, 
1918,  2:27. 

'^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  September  5,  1918,  2:326;  17th  French  Army  Corps, 
StaflF,  3rd  Bureau,  General  Order  No.  792,  2:27. 

'^Field  Order  No.  17,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  September  5,  191 8,  8  p.m., 
2:185. 


CHAPTER  III 

^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:327;  Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:27; 
Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:589. 

^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:327;  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  General 
Order,  No.  792,  September  6,  191 8,  2:27, 

^Field  Order,  No.  18,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  September  7,  191 8,  6  p.m., 

2:193- 

^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:327;  Operations  of  tVe  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:27; 
General  Wolf's  report  on  the  Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:589.  On  September  9,  the  Division  Com- 
mander made  a  thorough  reconnaissance  of  the  sector  which  his  troops  were  about  to 
occupy. 

*0n  September  10  at  8  a.m.,  the  33rd  Division  definitely  passed  under  the  17th 
French  Corps  by  virtue  of  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  (Order)  No.  394-S/3, 
dated  September  7,  191 8,  2:30. 

^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:327. 

''Ibid.;  Addendum  No.  4  to  Field  Order  No.  18,  2:199. 

^Operations  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  in  front  of  Verdun,  September  and  October, 
191 8  (ist  American  Army,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  2nd  Bureau,  No.  3399/2,  October 
31,  191 8);  War  Diary,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade;  Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant; 
General  Order  No.  794,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  402/S/3,  September 
8,  1918,  2:31,  fixed  the  details  of  this  operation  which  was  to  consist  of  counterbattery, 
interdiction  and  demonstration  fire.  Secret  Memorandum,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff, 
3rd  Bureau,  September  11, 1918,  2:37,  announced  the  zero  hour  as  i  a.m.  September  12, 
and  this  information  was  conveyed  to  the  units  concerned  by  Confidential  Memoran- 
dum, No.  6,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  September  10,  191 8. 

^Confidential  Memorandum  No.  7,  September  13,  1918,  prescribed  that  all  men 
should  be  familiarized  with  the  tactics  and  use  of  machine  guns,  Stokes  mortars,  37- 
millimeter  guns,  rifle  grenades,  and  all  instrumentalities  of  liaison. 

^''By  Special  Order  No.  3518/3,  Second  French  Army,  the  79th  Division  was 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  17th  French  Army  Corps  on  September  12.  The  relief 
of  the  157th  French  Division  was  made  in  compliance  with  General  Order  No.  797, 
17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  September  11,  1918. 

"See  1:56. 

^^By  virtue  of  G-^  Order  No.  75,  P.  C.  Third  Army  Corps,  September  12,  191 8, 
2:40,  and  Special  Order  No.  3537/3,  3rd  Bureau,  Ilnd  French  Army,  September  10, 
191 8.  The  passing  to  the  Ilird  American  Corps  was  published  to  the  33rd  Division  by 
Addendum  No.  5  to  Field  Order  No.  18,  September  14,  1918,  2:204.  The  above- 
mentioned  Special  Order  No.  3537/3  of  the  Second  French  Army  was  cited  in  Special 
Order  No.  440-S/3,  17th  French  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  September  12,  191 8, 
2:37,  which  announced  that,  beginning  at  noon  September  14,  the  following  would 
be  the  limits  between  the  Ilird  American  Army  Corps  and  the  17th  French  Corps: 

"The  Meuse,  up  to  21  kilometers  west  of  Vacherauville-La  Madeleine  farm  (3rd 

327 


328  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Army  Corps,  U.S.) — Ghana  Fort  (17th  Army  Corps) — Sartelles  Fort  (17th  Army 
Corps) — Sartelles  Wood  (3rd  Army  Corps,  U.S.) — Camps  Augereau,  Gallieni,  Davoust 
(3rd  Army  Corps,  U.S.) — Nixeville  Wood  (3rd  Army  Corps,  U.S.) — Chevillemont 
Wood  (17th  Army  Corps) — Queue  de  Mala  cross  road — Road  from  Verdun  to  Bar 
(common  to  both  Army  Corps) — the  village  of  Lemmes  (17th  Army  Corps)  as  far  as 
the  fork  of  the  Senoncourt  road." 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:328. 

^■^Training  Circular  No.  169,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  September  14,  1918. 

^^ist  Battalion,  108th  Engineers  (less  Company  C)  and  Engineer  Train  from  Bois 
de  Nixeville  to  Souhesmes-la-Grande;  Company  C,  108th  Engineers,  from  Montzeville 
to  Souhesmes-la-Grande  during  the  night  of  September  15-16,  as  prescribed  in  Field 
Order  No.  19,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  September  15,  191 8,  2:205.  During  the 
night  of  September  16-17,  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  from  Camp  de  Placey  to 
Longbut;  130th  Infantry  from  Bois  des  Clair-Chenes  to  Bois  de  Bethelainville;  and 
Company  F,  io8th  Engineers,  from  Longbut  to  Montzeville.  During  the  nights  of 
September  15-16  and  16-17,  108th  Supply  Train  from  Blercourt  and  Souhesmes  to 
Frana  Ferme;  and  102nd  Ammunition  Train  from  Camp  de  Nixeville  to  the  Bois  des 
Sartelles,  as  directed  by  Field  Order  No.  20,  September  15,  191 8,  1 1  p.mi,  2:206,  Com- 
pare Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:590-591. 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:329. 

^^Confidential  Memoranda  Nos.  8  and  9;  Training  Circulars  Nos.  170  and  173, 
and  Addendum  to  Training  Circular  No.  173. 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:329. 

^"Confidential  Memoranda  Nos.  9  and  10. 

^^Company  C,  132nd  Infantry,  was  relieved  by  the  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry 
and  by  the  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  of  which  Company  F  was  in  turn  relieved 
by  Company  I,  129th  Infantry;  and  Company  D,  132nd  Infantry,  was  relieved  by 
the  3rd  Battalion  of  the  same  regiment.  The  three  companies  relieved  went  back  into 
other  positions.     See  Field  Order  No.  21,  September  20,  1918,  2:209. 

^^The  reliefs  and  movements  which  took  place  in  compliance  with  Field  Order 
No.  22,  September  21, 1918, 3:30  p.m.,  2:210,  were  as  follows:  The  2nd  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry,  at  the  camp  southeast  of  Montzeville  was  relieved  by  a  battalion  from  the 
4th  Division,  and  the  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  at  the  Bois  Bourrus  (Ouest)  was 
relieved  by  a  battalion  of  the  80th  Division,  The  130th  Infantry  moved  from  the 
Bois  de  Bethelainville  to  Camp  Augereau;  the  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  was 
placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  79th  Division  and  took  position  at  Chattancourt;  the 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  (less  Companies  A  and  B)  proceeded  from  Bethelainville 
to  Camp  F,  Bois  des  Sartelles;  and  the  io8th  Supply  Train  and  the  io8th  Sanitary 
Train  moved  from  Frana  Ferme  and  Sivry-la-Perche  respectively  to  Thierville.  Cf. 
Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:592. 

^'See  2:236. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^See  2:219,  220,  249. 

^®War  Diary,  33rd  Divisisg,  September  25,  1918,  2:330. 


NOTES  329 

■^  ^^The  location  of  the  principal  units  of  the  33rd  Division  on  the  afternoon  of 
September  25,  1918,  was  as  follows:  Division  Headquarters  and  headquarters  52nd 
Field  Artillery  Brigade,  P.  C.  La  Hutte;  headquarters  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  Bethel- 
ainville;  headquarters  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  near  Chattancourt;  122nd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  point  216.739,  Verdun  "B";  io8th  Engineers,  point  238.637,  Verdun  "B"; 
108th  Sanitary  Train,  Thierville;  io8th  Field  Signal  Battalion,  Fromereville;  Head- 
quarters Troop  and  io8th  Train  Headquarters  and  Military  Police,  Lempire. 

"'^September  12;  to  Army  Candidates'  School,  at  Langres,  i  officer  as  instructor 
and  34  men;   to  Ilird  Corps  School,  16  men. 

September  14:   To  Army  Candidates'  School,  2  officers  as  instructors. 

September  20:  To  Motor  Transport  School,  at  Decize,  3  officers  and  18  men. 

September  21:    To  Army  Signal  Candidates'  School,  at  Langres,  3  men. 

September  24:  To  the  Army  General  Staff"  College,  Langres,  3  officers;  to  the 
Army  Line  School,  Langres,  4  officers. 

^^Training  Circulars  Nos.  165  to  177,  September  7-19,  1918. 

^'*"Sept.  9th  to  25th.  Sector  became  gradually  more  active,  many  patrols  sent 
out.  Enemy  artillery  active  from  14th  to  15th."  Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry 
Brigade,  3:27. 

^4n  the  forward  areas  of  the  subsectors  of  Hill  304,  Mort  Homme,  Cumieres  and 
Cote  de  Talou,  the  io8th  Engineers  "did  an  enormous  amount  of  work  in  the  repair  of 
roads,  construction  of  strong  points,  strengthening  Principle  Line  of  Resistance, 
repairing  dugouts,  and  furnishing  duckboards  and  other  materials  for  bettering  the 
condition  of  Infantry  in  the  trenches."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th 
Engineers,  2:540. 

^^Chief  of  Staff",  Ilird  Corps,  to  Commanding  General,  33rd  Division,  September 
13,  1918;  Commanding  General,  Ilird  Army  Corps,  to  Commanding  General,  33rd 
Division,  September  14,  1918;  G-3  Order  No.  81,  P.  C.  3rd  Army  Corps,  A.  E.  F., 
September  15,  1918,  11:00  a.m. 

^^General  von  der  Marwitz'  order  to  the  Fifth  German  Army,  dated  October  i, 
1918,  quoted  in  Operations  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  in  front  of  Verdun,  September  and 
October,  191 8. 

^■^Field  Order  No.  15,  Headquarters  First  Army,  A.  E.  F.,  France,  September  17, 
1918,  15  hours,  announced  the  following  assignment  of  divisions  to  corps,  effiective  at 
noon  September  20,  viz:  To  the  1st  Corps,  28th,  29th,  35th,  77th,  and  92nd  Divisions. 
To  the  Ilird  Corps,  1st,  4th,  33rd,  and  80th  Divisions.  To  the  IVth  Corps,  2nd, 
5th,  42nd,  78th,  89th,  90th  American  Divisions,  and  69th  French  Division.  To  the  Vth 
Corps,  32nd,  37th,  79th,  82nd,  and  91st  Divisions.  To  the  2nd  Colonial  Corps  (French) 
2nd,  26th,  and  39th  Dismounted  Cavalry  Divisions  (all  French),  and  26th  (American) 
Division. 

35See  1:65. 

^^Field  Order  No.  18,  P.  C.  3rd  Army  Corps,  A.  E.  F.,  September  21,  191 8,  9  Hour, 

^''Field  Order  No.  23,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  September  24,  1918,  9  a.m.,  2:212. 

^^This  turning  movement,  which  would  result  in  surrounding  the  Bois  de  Forges 
on  three  sides,  sought  to  avoid  a  frontal  attack  in  force  against  that  extremely  formidable 
position  which  the  Germans  boasted  could  never  be  taken  by  a  direct  assault,  and 


330  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

against  which  large  forces  might  readily  have  been  used  without  success.  This  plan 
was  suggested  by  a  French  liaison  officer  at  the  Headquarters  of  the  Ilird  Corps, 
Commandant  Bertier  de  Sauvigny,  formerly  French  Military  Attache  at  Washing- 
ton, and  so  obvious  were  its  advantages  that  it  was  accepted  as  by  all  odds  the  best 
method  which  could  be  devised. 

'^Field  Order  No.  i6,  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  prescribed  that  the  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  should  station  one  company  in  the  Vaux-Setif  Trenches  and  three 
companies  on  the  Haute  de  la  Cote  de  I'Oie.     See  3:34. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^'Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  November  26,  1918,  2:537. 
A  very  thorough  and  interesting  description  of  the  work  of  the  io8th  Engineers  in 
crossing  Forges  Creek  bottom  September  26,  191 8,  contained  in  the  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  December  26,  191 8,  will  be  found  in  2:501  fF. 

^^Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector;  Reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers  of 
the  131st  and  132nd  Infantry,  3:70,  148. 

^'Report  of  the  Acting  Division  Signal  Officer,  2:552. 

^In  the  case  of  the  33rd  Divisional  artillery,  the  preparation  fire  consisted  of 
concentrations  by  the  155-millimeter  howitzers  on  the  enemy  front  line  and  sensitive 
points  in  the  zone  of  advance,  lifting  as  the  infantry  approached.  Report  of  the 
Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  November  15,  1918,  3:253. 

*^Ibid.  The  standing  and  rolling  barrages  which  were  to  be  put  down  on  the  front 
of  the  131st  Infantry  were  assigned  to  two  battalions  of  the  21 2e  Regiment  d'Artillerie 
de  Campagne  (75s),  while  the  104th  and  105th  Field  Artillery  performed  a  similar 
mission  for  the  132nd.  The  3rd  Battalion  of  the  2i2e  R6giment  was  to  lay  a  standing 
and  rolling  barrage  of  limited  duration  extending  from  the  right  of  the  132nd  Infantry 
to  the  village  of  Forges  in  order  to  deceive  the  enemy  as  to  the  front  of  attack.  The 
io6th  Field  Artillery  and  the  ist  Battalion,  3o8e  Regiment  d'Artillerie  Lourde  (155s) 
were  to  concentrate  on  various  sensitive  points  in  the  sector  of  the  33rd  Division, 
lifting  as  the  advance  progressed. 

^^The  machine-gun  barrage  for  the  33rd  Division  consisted  of  forty  guns  manned 
by  one  platoon  of  Company  A  and  Company  B,  122nd  (Divisional)  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  and  by  Companies  C  and  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  (66th  Brigade). 
This  barrage  was  put  down  upon  the  enemy  trenches  and  strong  points  along  the  entire 
division  front,  beginning  at  the  zero  hour  and  lasting  for  sixty  minutes  on  the  left  and 
seventy  minutes  on  the  right.  Four  guns  from  Company  A,  122nd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  were  posted  in  the  Ravin  des  Caurettes  for  protection  against  hostile  aircraft, 
and  one  section  (2  guns)  was  placed  in  a  bend  of  the  Meuse  southwest  of  Regneville 
to  assist  the  raid  made  by  the  i8th  French  Division  on  the  east  bank,  the  4th  section 
being  held  in  reserve.  Companies  A  and  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  accom- 
panied the  132nd  and  131st  Infantry  respectively,  and  Companies  C  and  D,  after 
finishing  their  barrage,  followed  with  the  support  battalions  of  those  regiments.  After 
completing  the  barrage,  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  remained  in  its  position  to 
cover  the  right  flank  which  was  open,  after  the  initial  attack,  to  enemy  fire  from 
Samogneux  to  the  north  of  Brabant.     See  2:556. 

*^Furnished  by  Company  A,  ist  Gas  and  Flame  Regiment.     This  unit  was  pro- 


NOTES  331 

vided  with  mortars  and  thermite  shells  to  attack  strong  points,  but  the  batteries  were 
unable  to  keep  pace  with  the  infantry  advance. 

**The  distance  from  the  American  trenches  to  the  Bethincourt-Forges  road  was 
about  1,100  yards. 

^'Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:29-30;  Reports  of  the  Commanding 
Officers  of  the  131st  and  132nd  Infantry,  and  of  the  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry, 
3:70,  80-81,  149. 

^''Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:70. 

®^At  5:55  A.M.  the  standing  barrage  moved  forward  three  hundred  meters  and 
remained  for  twenty  minutes  while  the  infantry  formed.  Report  of  the  Commanding 
General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:253.  The  barrage  took  twelve  minutes  to 
cover  these  three  hundred  meters. 

*^The  formation  from  west  to  east  was:  3rd  and  2nd  Battalions,  131st  Infantry, 
with  1st  Battalion  in  the  rear;  2nd  and  ist  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  the  3rd  in 
support.  The  leading  battalions  had  two  companies  in  the  front  line  and  two  com- 
panies in  support,  these  companies  being  formed  in  line  of  platoons.  The  Moulin  de 
RafFecourt  was  the  point  of  demarcation  between  the  131st  Infantry  on  the  west  and 
the  132nd  Infantry  on  the  east. 

^'Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:70;  Operations  in  the  Mort 
Homme  Sector,  3:29.  The  latter  report,  which  was  signed  by  General  Wolf,  command- 
ing the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  states  that: 

"The  unit  on  the  left  was  the  80th  Division — this  unit  was  not  in  position  when 
the  attack  began  at  H  hour,  (5:30  a.m.)  September  26th,  1918,  and  no  connection  with 
them  could  be  established  until  some  time  after  our  objective  was  reached. 

"The  failure  of  this  Division  to  support  our  left  flank  necessitated  the  putting  in  of 
the  support  Battalion  of  the  131st  Infantry  to  clean  up  a  portion  of  the  sector  assigned 
to  the  80th  Division,  also  for  the  protection  of  the  flank  which  was  exposed  during  the 
entire  movement." 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:253.  The 
barrage  for  the  131st  Infantry,  fired  by  six  batteries  of  the  212th  French  Field  Artillery 
Regiment,  was  at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  meters  in  four  minutes  for  three  hours  and 
five  minutes.  Upon  reaching  Gercourt-et-Drillancourt  it  was  slowed  down  to  a  rate 
of  one  hundred  meters  in  five  minutes  and  continued  thus  for  two  hours  andften 
minutes. 

^^Operatlons  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:30. 

^^At  point  194.799. 

*^"At  10:10  A.M.  message  was  sent  by  runner  back  to  Pliable  from  198-810  reading 
as  follows:  'Have  reached  road  Belhaine  and  am  consolidating.  No  troops  to  my 
front  or  flanks.  Signed — Gale.'"  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion, 
I3xst  Infantry,  3:79. 

*^"  .  .  .  .Found  about  50  Boche  fleeing  across  the  flat  from  all  directions  toward 
the  bridge  at  Ecluse,  fire  was  opened  on  these  dropping  several,  upon  which  about 
half  those  nearest  stopped  threw  up  their  hands  and  came  back,  the  others  escaped 
across  the  bridge  and  disappeared,  cleaning  up  parties  were  sent  through  the  dug- 
outs and  houses  on  the  side  of  the  cliff  and  collected  together  with  those  brought  back 
from  the  flat  a  total  of  eight  officers  including  one  Colonel  and  one  hundred  and  thirty- 


332  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

eight  other  ranks.  About  fifth  [fifty]  others  were  chased  up  the  valley  into  the  territory 
of  the  132nd  U.S.  Infantry."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  3:79. 

^'"In  the  stores  along  the  cliflF  were  discovered  large  quantities  of  arms,  ammuni- 
tion, fireworks,  military  papers,  maps,  including  one  one-pound  gun,  three  anti-tank 
guns,  forty-one  new  M.  G.'s  boxed,  high  power  Artillery  Binocular  periscope  signal 
station  complete  with  high  power  lights,  typewriter,  bicycles,  etc."     Il>iJ.,  3:79. 

^'^Ibid.,  also  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:71,  and  Oper- 
ations in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:29. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:184. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  which  goes  on 
to  say:  "Lt.  Shantz  informed  me  that  he  had  found  one  platoon  of  Co.  C.  Haddie  [code 
word  for  319th  Infantry  of  the  80th  Division],  in  our  rear  and  that  the  officer  had  told 
him  that  he  was  lost.  I  immediately  took  charge  of  them  and  made  them  part  of  my 
support,"  3:82-83. 

®^"The  advance  was  held  up  for  20  minutes  by  machine  gun  fire  from  guns  of  the 
80th  Division,  which  put  on  a  barrage  over  our  own  sector  for  that  length  of  time 
after  our  own  machine  gun  barrage  had  ceased."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:184. 

^^"  While  going  up  the  slope  of  Hill  227  the  sun  came  out  and  as  we  reached  the  top 
of  the  hill  loud  cheers  were  heard,  the  fog  had  lifted  and  a  remarkable  scene  greeted 
us,  everywhere  could  be  seen  the  advancing  troops  and  scattered  here  and  there 
groups  of  prisoners  under  guard  being  taken  to  the  rear.  The  'Moppers-up'  could 
be  seen  doing  their  work  and  doing  it  well.  It  was  at  this  point  that  we  connected 
with  Haddie  [code  word  for  the  319th  Infantry  of  the  80th  Division]  who  were  too  far 
out  of  their  position."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  3:83. 

^^"  About  250  yards  south  of  Gercourt  Battalion  P.  C.  was  met  by  a  fire  from  a 
M.  G.  at  about  186-791  and  snipers  in  church  in  Gercourt.  Lt.  Bourdon  of  Co.  B, 
124th  M.  G.  Bn.  and  Corp.  Linnenkahl  of  Co.  L  attacked  the  M.  G.  nest  and  killed  the 
two  Germans  operating  M.  G.  Coporal  Koerper  in  charge  of  Bn.  runners  crept  up  to 
the  church  and  captured  four  snipers."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd 
Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:83. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:184. 

^^Cf.  Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:30. 

®^Most  of  these  prisoners  were  taken  in  the  trenches  along  the  Bois  Jure. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:83. 

^^See  map  24,  volume  4. 

^"  Reached  objective  at  1 1  :oo  to  1 1 :30  a.m.  and  took  positions  to  cover  consolida- 
tion on  left  bank  of  Meuse  valley,  the  3rd  platoon  took  position  protecting  left  flank, 
as  the  319th  Infantry  did  not  reach  its  objective  until  following  evening.  Casualties: 
3  killed,  7  wounded."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:184. 

^^Four  hundred  shovels,  900  picks,  8,000  stands  of  barbed  wire,  10,000  pieces  of 
cut  lumber,  14,000  spikes,  800  3-inch  shells,  7,990  grenades,  130,500  rounds  of  rifle 
ammunition,  750  Werf  grenades,  4,150  signal  cartridges  and  flares,  besides  enormous 


NOTES  333 

quantities  of  supplies,  including  railway  ties,  wire,  wire  screens,  duck  boards,  etc. 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:75. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:81, 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:71. 

^^The  time  of  their  arrival  on  the  objective  is  fixed  by  the  Report  of  the  Command- 
ing Officer,  1st  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  in  which  it  is  stated  that  "About  3/4  hour 
later  [after  10:10  a.m.]  Company  E  and  F  arrived  and  took  up  a  position  several  hun- 
dred yards  to  our  rear,  the  Third  Battalion  appeared  to  our  left."     See  3:80. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:81,  which 
states:  "Our  Mopping-up  parties  did  wonderful  work.  As  a  matter  of  fact  they  worked 
so  fast  that  the  advance  was  never  held  up." 

"Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry;  Report  of 
the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:71. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:80. 

'^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry;  see  also  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:71. 

^Memoranda  furnished  to  the  author  by  the  Operations  Officer,  131st  Infantry. 

*^Three  6-inch  howitzers,  two  105-millimeter  guns,  eight  77-millimeter  guns,  three 
anti-tank  guns,  15  light  machine  guns,  1 1  heavy  machine  guns,  26  heavy  machine  guns 
turned  over  to  the  318th  Infantry,  one  Red  Cross  ambulance,  a  narrow-gauge  railway, 

14  cars,  5  small  and  3  large  box  cars,  I4  four-wheel  flat  trucks,  and  5  gravel  trucks. 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:74. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:75. 

^'^See  1:63;    also  Field  Order  No.  23,  2:214. 

**"Our  troops  were  in  position  at  H-2  with  first  battalion  on  the  right,  2nd  battal- 
ion on  the  left,  and  third  battalion  in  support.  Each  battalion  had  two  companies 
in  line,  and  two  companies  in  support.     Companies  were  organized  in  two  waves  each. 

"Each  battalion  had  attached  to  it  a  section  of  the  37  mm.  and  Trench  Mortars. 
The  first  Gas  Regiment  detailed  a  section  to  each  battalion  to  form  a  smoke  screen, 

"Machine  Gun  Companies  were  assigned  as  follows,  and  advanced  with  their 
respective  battalions: 

Co.  D,  124th  M.  G.  Battn — ist  Battalion 
Co.  A,  124th  M.  G.  Battn — 2nd  Battalion 
M.  G  Co.,  132nd  Infantry — 3rd  Battalion 

"Two  companies  of  108th  Engineers  were  attached  to  the  regiment."  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:148. 

^See  1:75. 

^"The  barrage  in  front  of  the  132nd  Infantry  (about  1300  meters  in  width)  fired 
by  the  104th  and  105th  Field  Artillery  Regiments,  5  by  each,  lasted  for  3  hours  and 

15  minutes,  progressing  at  a  rate  of  100  meters  in  4  minutes  for  i  hour  and  25  minutes, 
and  100  meters  in  5  minutes  for  i  hour  and  50  minutes.  The  barrage  on  the  right  of 
the  132nd  Infantry  (1500  meters  in  width)  was  placed  to  deceive  the  enemy.  It 
progressed  at  a  rate  of  100  meters  in  4  minutes  for  i  hour  and  17  minutes."  Report  of 
the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:253. 

^^Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:31;  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:150;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion, 
132nd  Infantry,  3:161. 


334  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  OHicer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:149.  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  3:163. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:149. 

^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  3:160. 

^^Ibid.;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:150. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:150.  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  3:163. 

^'Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:150.  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  3:164. 

^^See  1:74. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:150. 

^^Reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  ist  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd 
Infantry,  3:161,  163. 

^^Ibid.;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  1 24th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3 : 1 83. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:150-151.  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  3:161. 

^^Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:31.  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
132nd  Infantry,  3:150. 

^•^"The  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  enumerates  the  cap- 
tured materiel  as  follows:  Four  howitzers  (6-inch),  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition; 
10  field  pieces,  a  large  quantity  of  ammunition;  10  trench  mortars;  109  machine  guns, 
a  large  quantity  of  ammunition;  2  anti-tank  guns;  a  large  quantity  of  small-arms 
ammunition,  grenades  and  pyrotechnics;  a  dump  of  engineering  material;  i  wagon 
load  of  signal  apparatus;  8  railway  cars  (60-centimeter);  many  other  miscellaneous 
stores. 

^"^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:151. 

^"^Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:32. 

^"^"The  Machine  Gun  Companies  accompanying  the  Battalions  gave  splendid 
assistance.  .  .  .  During  the  entire  battle  our  plans  of  liaison  worked  perfectly.  At 
all  times  there  was  telephone  communication  with  each  Battalion  in  the  attack  and  the 
Brigade  Commander  was  kept  constantly  informed  of  the  progress  of  the  troops." 
Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:31.  "The  barrage  which  preceded  the  troops 
was  laid  down  by  the  212th  French  Artillery,  and  was  perfect  in  its  plan  and  execution." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  3:70.  See  also  Reports  of  the  Com- 
manding Officers  of  the  1 22nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  and  108  th  Field  Signal  Battalion, 
2:547,  556  fF. 

'^"^Operations  in  the  Mort  Homme  Sector,  3:31. 

^"^See  Field  Order  No.  23,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  in  2:213  ff.     Also  1:63. 

^''^See  1 :63.  An  interesting  account  of  the  work  of  these  machine  guns  will  be 
found  in  the  Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:556  fF. 

^"^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:643;  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:16. 

.1-^     ^°^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:17. 
Jg     ^''^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th   Infantry   Brigade,  2:594. 

^^'^Ibid.;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:670;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:594. 


CHAPTER  IV 

^American  Official  Communiques;   Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division. 

^"Sept.  2-jth  to  October  6th,  1918.  During  this  period  we  held  the  line  on  the 
west  bank  of  River  Meusa  at  Bois  de  Forges  and  strengthened  it  for  defense.  The 
front  was  actively  patrolled  and  reconnoitered  from  Consenvoye  to  Brabant  in  antici- 
pation of  attack  by  our  troops  involving  the  crossing  of  the  River  Meuse.  On  account 
of  commanding  positions  and  dominating  heights  held  by  the  enemy  our  troops  in  the 
valley  were  under  direct  observation  and  harassed  by  enemy  fire."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:151. 

^"Following  the  engagement  north  of  Mort  Homme  on  the  26th  September,  191 8, 
the  131st  Infantry  held  a  forward  line  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse  River  from  the 
evening  of  that  date  to  the  18th  of  October,  191 8.  That  line  consisting  of  outposts  on 
the  edge  of  the  river,  supports  in  immediate  rear  and  one  battalion  in  reserve  west  of 
Forges  woods  extending  from  a  point  east  of  Dannevoux  south  to  the  Consenvoye 
Crossing,  a  distance  of  nearly  three  kilometers.  .  .  .  During  the  occupation  of  this 
line  .  .  .  [the]  troops  were  subject  to  intermittent  shell  fire,  gas  attacks  at  night  and 
rainy  weather  resulting  in  some  casualties  and  sickness  nearly  every  day."  131st 
Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  October  10-14,  3:83.  Also  Operations  of 
the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:44.  The  detachments  from  Company  A,  ist  Gas  Regi- 
ment, were  relieved  on  September  27.  See  Memorandum  to  Commanding  General, 
66th  Brigade,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  September  27,  191 8,  11:35  a.m.,  2:250. 

^Compare  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
3:184- 

^See  Memorandum  to  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Brigade,  dated  P.  C.  33rd 
Division,  September  27,  191 8,  6:20  p.m.,  2:250,  issued  in  compliance  with  Field  Order 
No.  19,  P.  C.  Third  Army  Corps,  September  27,  191 8,  2:30  a.m.,  2:54. 

^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:594. 

^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:643. 

^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:671. 

^Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:17. 

^"Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:671.  The  movement  of 
the  65th  Brigade  that  day  is  summarized  in  the  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
2:594. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:254. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  September  27  and  28,  191 8. 

^^Ibid.,  September  28  and  29,  191 8. 

^^Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:557. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:671-672. 

'^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:594.     The  order  will  be  found  in  2:251. 

335 


336  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^'^Reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers,  129th  and  130th  Infantry,  2:643  and  2:672; 
Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:17. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade  in  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:594;  Field  Order  No.  24,  P.  C.  33rd  Divi- 
sion, covering  this  relief,  the  preparation  of  the  line  for  defense,  the  artillery,  and  combat 
liaison,  was  issued  on  September  28,  1918,  at  10:30  p.m.  (2:251),  in  pursuance  with 
G-3  Order  No.  115,  P.C.  Ilird  Army  Corps,  A.  E.  F.,  September  27,  191 8,  8:30  a.m. 
(2:55).  These  last  two  orders  were  modified  by  G-3  Orders  No.  116,  P.  C.  IlIrd 
Army  Corps,  A.  E.  F.,  September  27,  1918  (2:56);  which  prescribed  that  "The  actual 
relief  directed  in  G-3  order  No.  115  for  the  night  of  Sept.  27-28  will  not  be  carried  out 
until  orders  to  that  effect  from  these  Headquarters."  These  orders  were,  however, 
issued  by  the  Ilird  Corps  on  September  28. 

^^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:643. 

^"Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:672. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:254. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  January  23,  1919,  2:511. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division. 

^^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:643;  Operations  of  the  123d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:17. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:595;  Report  of 
the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:672. 

^^"The  First  Battalion  130th  Infantry  occupied  the  right  half-sub-sector,  and  the 
Third  Battalion  occupying  the  left  half-sub-sector  in  the  Wood  Sector,  Bois  de  la  Cote 
Lemont.  Second  Battalion  was  in  reserve  along  the  north  edge,  two  companies  in  the 
Bois-d'en-Dela,  and  two  companies  in  the  Bois-des-Septsarges."  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:672. 

^''Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:17. 

^^Addendum  2  to  Field  Order  No.  24,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  September  29,  191 8, 
5  P.M.,  2:256.     Addendum  No.  i  was  issued  at  2:30  p.m.  that  day. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:255. 

^"Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  September  30,  1918. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  January  23,  1919,  2:511. 

^"Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:557. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:255. 

^^"16:30.  Ordered  Commanding  Officer,  212th  R.  A.  C.  to  fire  on  all  observed 
batteries  on  front  between  left  flank  of  his  sector  to  Consenvoye  and  respond  to  all 
requests  for  fire  from  131st  Infantry."     Ibid. 

^^"On  the  30th  September,  19 18,  the  Colonel  of  the  66th.  French  Infantry  requested 
us  to  fire  from  18,000  to  20,000  rounds,  harrassing  fire,  on  Brabant,  and  after  securing 
the  authority  from  C.  G.  this  division  request  was  complied  with,  although  after  firing 
6,000  rounds  the  French  requested  us  to  cease  firing  as  they  had  decided  not  to  attempt 
the  operation  on  that  day."  Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
2:558. 

^^Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:17. 


NOTES  337 

'^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:672. 

^"See  2:50. 

'*^"  September  30th.  80th  Division  Artillery  placed  at  disposal  of  4th  Division 
(on  brigade  left).  Very  heavy  enemy  artillery  fire  from  west,  north  and  east;  high 
explosive  and  mustard  gas  shells  used.  Some  casualties  resulted."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:595. 

"Sept.  30,  191 8.  Consolidation  and  improvement  of  positions.  Very  heavy 
enemy  artillery  fire  from  West,  North  and  East;  H.  E.  and  Mustard  Gas  shells  used. 
Our  artillery  did  not  seem  to  neutralize  the  enemy's  fire.  Casualties — seven  (7)  men 
killed,  fifteen  (15)  men  wounded."  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry, 
2:644. 

"30th  September,  1918:  No  change  in  attachment  of  companies.  Co.  D  located 
in  Bois  des  Septsarges.  Companies  B  and  C  organized  for  defense  in  their  respective 
locations.  Casualties:  Wounded,  slight,  3."  Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:17. 

■^'Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  2:511-512. 

^Map  to  illustra;te  the  Argonne  Meuse  Battle,  issued  by  General  Headquarters. 

^"^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division. 

''^In  compliance  with  Field  Orders,  No.  25,  2:259. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:255. 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  for  October  i,  191 8,  2:332. 

On  October  first,  Major  Carl  C.  Oakes,  the  Division  Ordnance  Officer,  and 
Lieutenant  Colonel  William  S.  Cowles,  the  Division  Inspector,  proceeded  to  Langres 
to  attend  the  fourth  course  at  the  Army  General  Staflf  College.  Neither  of  these 
officers  rejoined  the  33rd  Division  subsequently. 

*^Operations  Report,  33rd  Division. 

*^"  1st  October,  191 8:  No  change  in  disposition  of  companies.  Work  carried  on 
improving  gun  emplacements.  Co.  B  fired  harassing  fire  on  enemy  strong  points 
between  9:00  and  10:00  p.m.  iooo  rounds  of  ammunition  expended.  Casualties: 
None."     Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:17. 

^""Oct.  I,  1918.  Several  prisoners  taken;  5th  B.  I.  D.  A  large  amount  of  mate- 
rial salvaged.  All  prisoners  turned  over  to  Military  Police.  Heavy  enemy  shell  fire 
continues;  casualties — two  (2)  men  killed,  seven  (7)  wounded."  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:644. 

^^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:595. 

^^Map  to  illustrate  the  Argonne  Meuse  Battle,  issued  by  General  Headquarters; 
War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  for  October  2,  191 8,   2:332. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:255. 

^^Report  of  Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:282. 

^^Report  of  Operations,  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:275. 

^^Apart  from  the  ordinary  routine,  October  2  was  also  without  event  of  note  in  the 

P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division,  the  most  important  communication  issued  that  day  being 

Confidential  Memorandum  No.  14,  which  embodied  the  following  from  Headquarters 

First  Army: 
(c) 


338  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

"Complaints  are  being  received  here  that  our  pursuit  and  reconnaissance  planes 
are  being  shot  up  by  our  anti-avion  guns. 

"The  impression  seems  to  be  prevalent  among  some  divisions  that  they  are  at  the 
mercy  of  German  aeroplanes,  when  frequently  the  aeroplanes  they  see  are  our  own. 

"You  are  directed  to  take  steps  to  vigorously  combat  this  impression  which  is 
highly  detrimental  to  morale." 

^^"Oct.  2,  191 8.  Enemy  shell  fire  becoming  increasingly  accurate  and  effective; 
the  enemy  having  direct  observation  from  three  sides.  Third  Battalion  (minus  Co. 
'K')  withdrew  to  Bois  Rond  and  Bois  Jure  in  support  of  line.  Co.  'K'  holding  that 
part  of  sector  facing  East,  on  the  Meuse  River.  Casualties — three  (3)  men  killed, 
eleven  (11)  men  wounded.  Gas  Projector  attack  by  Co.  'F'  First  Regiment  Gas  and 
Flame  Engineers — -fifty  projectors  thrown  on  Vilosnes."  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:644. 

^^"2nd  October,  191 8:  No  change  in  disposition  of  companies.  Gun  positions  and 
shelters  for  men  completed  and  improvement  on  same  being  carried  out.  At  5:15  a.m. 
enemy  put  down  barrage  in  square  16.82  gradually  fire  to  17.82,  lasting  until  6:00  a.m. 
12  Mustard  Gas  Shells  fell  in  vicinity  of  Co.  B's  gun  emplacements.  Co.  B  fired 
harassing  fire  on  enemy  positions  between  9:00  and  10:00  p.m.  iooo  rounds  of 
ammunition  expended.  Enemy  aircraft  active.  Some  movement  of  enemy  in 
Vilosnes-sur-Meuse.  Casualties:  Wounded,  slight  16."  Operations  of  the  123d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion. 

^"Report  of  the  Commanding   General,   65th   Infantry   Brigade,  2:596. 

^^"October  3rd,  1918.  Mixed  position  combat  group  liaison  established  with  the 
131st  Infantry  (on  brigade  right)  by  the  129th  Infantry.  Harrassing  fire  concentrated 
by  Machine  Gun  companies  in  line  in  the  general  direction  of  Teton  Trench.  Brigade 
P.  C.  and  immediate  vicinity  heavily  shelled  throughout  the  day.  Enemy  plane  with 
pilot  and  observer,  brought  down  in  Brigade  Sector  at  5:20  pm."     IMd. 

"Oct.  3,  1918.  Mixed  post  established  with  131st  Infantry  (66th  Inf.  Bde).  on 
ourright.  Usual  trench  routine.  Casualties — one  (i)  officer  killed,  one  (i)  man  killed, 
twelve  (12)  men  wounded."      Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:644. 

"On  the  3rd  October  191 8,  the  Third  Battalion  130th  Infantry  was  relieved  from 
the  front  line  in  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  (Field  Orders  ^  18,  Hq.  130th  Infantry) 
by  the  First  Battalion  130th  Infantry  who  extended  their  lines  to  the  left,  including  the 
entire  sector."     Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:672. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division. 

®^The  new  road  from  Cumieres  to  Raffecourt,  which  had  been  opened  at  6  p.m. 
on  October  i  to  horse  transport,  was  in  condition  on  October  3  for  heavy  artillery. 
It  was  substantially  a  two-way  road  and  on  the  very  day  of  its  completion  no  less  than 
five  hundred  vehicles,  including  fifty-six  heavy  guns,  caissons,  and  ammunition  trucks, 
passed  over  it  without  material  injur)'.  See  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th 
Engineers,  January  i,  1919,  2:512. 

^^Report  of  Operations,  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:275. 

®^"3rd  October,  1918:  No  change  in  disposition  of  companies  during  the  day. 
Two  left  guns  of  Co.  B  fired  harassing  fire  from  9:30  p.m.  to  10:15  p.m.  Expended  950 
rounds  of  ammunition.  Sneezing  gas  thrown  on  Hill  294.  Light  shelling  throughout 
the  day.     Enemy  aircraft  active. 


NOTES  339 

"Orders  received  from  P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade  at  10:00  p.m.  to  take  two 
Machine  Gun  Companies  to  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  for  the  purpose  of  neutralizing 
hostile  opposition  and  breaking  up  counter  attacks  between  Bois  de  Brieulles,  Bois 
de  Foret,  and  Brieulles-sur-Meuse.  Also  to  assist  fire  of  4th  Division  on  left.  Com- 
panies A  and  B  were  used  for  this  work  and  were  moved  into  position  during  the  night. 
Co.  D  on  Hill  281.  Co.  A  in  reserve.  Casualties:  Killed  2  Wounded,  Slight,  9 
Wounded,  Serious,  i".     Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:18. 

^See  2:262. 

^^See  Secret  Memorandum,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  October  3,  1918,  ii:io  p.m., 
2:265.     Also  Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  2:469. 

^^Compare  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,   132nd  Infantry,  3:151- 

^^"On  night  of  Oct.  3-4,  pursuant  to  orders  from  Division  Machine  Gun  Officer, 
Cos.  A  &  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  were  relieved  from  positions  in  Bois  de 
Forges  and  ordered  to  support  the  4th  Division  from  vicinity  of  Hill  280  and  Bois  de 
la  Cote  Lemont,  to  be  in  position  by  daylight  morning  of  4th  October. 

"Transportation  did  not  arrive  until  nearly  midnight  and  both  companies  used 
Company  A's  transportation,  leaving  Forges  Wood  about  12:30  a.m.  Oct.  4th.  All 
roads  were  heavily  shelled  by  the  enemy,  the  night  was  extremely  dark  and  orders  gave 
no  information  concerning  location  of  enemy  or  our  own  troops,  notwithstanding 
which  the  companies  arrived  at  Hill  280  and  had  guns  in  position  by  7:30  A.M.  On  the 
road  the  companies  had  to  pass  through  gassed  areas  and  lost  four  mules  and  one  horse, 
and  2  enlisted  men  from  shell  fire."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:184. 

^"Map  to  illustrate  the  Argonne  Meuse  Battle,  issued  by  General  Headquarters. 
*  "On  October  4th,  1918,  we  were  withdrawn  from  the  line  and  placed  in  Corps 
Reserve  per  Field  Order  No.  26,  33rd  Division."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
132nd  Infantry,  3:151;    also  Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:27. 

^^"On  the  3rd  and  4th  of  October  the  132nd  Infantry  which  occupied  the  extension 
of  the  lines  to  the  south  were  withdrawn  and  our  line  prolonged  on  the  east  of  the 
Forges  Wood,  nearly  five  additional  kilometers  connecting  with  French  troops  south 
of  the  town  of  Forges.  This  additional  line  was  lightly  held  by  outposts.  The  entire 
line  was  within  the  lines  of  the  comprehensive  defensive  scheme  abandoned  as  subse- 
quent events  developed. 

"During  the  occupation  of  this  line  covering  a  period  approximating  14  days 
troops  were  subject  to  intermittent  shell  fire,  gas  attacks  at  night  and  rainy  weather 
resulting  in  some  casualties  and  sickness  nearly  every  day."  131st  Infantry  Engage- 
ment at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:83-84. 

^'"The  machine  guns  of  these  companies  were  first  in  position  and  did  harassing 
fire  on  Brieulles  and  Teton  Trench  in  support  of  our  4th  Division."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:184-185. 

"4th  October,  1918:  Guns  of  Co.  D  in  position  on  Hill  281  on  N.  W.  edge  of 
Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  by  day  break.  Co.  A  held  in  reserve,  4th  Division  on  left  to 
resume  advance  at  5:25  a.m.  Our  artillery  opened  fire  and  put  down  a  barrage  at 
5:00  A.M.  Companies  C.  &  D.  123  M.  G.  Bn.  opened  fire  on  Brieulles-sur-Meuse, 
points  along  river  and  high  ground  N.  W.  of  Brieulles  protecting  the  4th  Division 
right  flank.     Fire  carried  on  until  1 1  :oo  a.m.     Two  companies  of  124th  M.  G.  Bn.  and 


340  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

M.  G.  Co.  130th  Infantry  came  under  command  of  Commanding  Officer,  123  M.G.  Bn. 
for  any  use  in  any  emergency  that  might  arise.  Five  Machine  Gun  Companies  in  all 
available  for  protection  of  4th  Division  right  and  65th  Infantry  Brigade  left.  Disposi- 
tion of  Co.  B  unchanged.  Heavy  shelling  by  enemy  in  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  and 
Bois  de  Dannevoux.  Our  aircraft  very  active  throughout  day.  Sneezing  gas  thrown 
over  by  enemy  near  positions  of  Co.  B  in  Bois  de  Dannevoux.  Casualties:  Killed  4 
Wounded,  slight,  12  Wounded,  serious,  3."  Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:18. 

'^''Report  of  Operations,  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:275;  Report  of  the  Commanding 
General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:257.  The  131st  Infantry  was  heavily  shelled 
during  the  night  of  October  4-5.     Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  October  5,  1918. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:596. 

'^See  also  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:672. 

^''That  the  enemy  retaliated  is  evident  from  the  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
129th  Infantry  (2:644),  which  contains  the  following  entry:  "Oct.  4,  1918. 
Enemy  continues  extremely  heavy  shelling,  using  Gas  and  H.  E.     No  casualties." 

^^Confidential  Memorandum  No.  16  prescribed  that  "Telephones  and  service 
buzzers  will  not  be  used  within  three  kilometers  of  our  front  lines,  except  in  case  of 
grave  emergency."  Confidential  Memorandum  No.  17  enjoined  the  utmost  care  in 
the  distribution  of  telephone  wire,  of  which  there  was  a  decided  shortage,  and  the 
recovery  of  all  wire  not  in  actual  use. 

'^^At  1:45  P.M.  the  commander  of  the  65th  Brigade  was  directed  to  send  patrols  to 
ascertain  the  situation  at  Brieulles  and  in  the  Tranchee  de  Teton,  2:266.  At 
7:55  P.M.  aG-3  order  from  the  Ilird  Corps  was  received  by  telephone  which  prescribed 
that  "Tonight,  Patterson  [codeword  for  33rd  Division]  will  filter  machine  guns  and 
auto-rifles  groups  into  the  Trench  de  Teton,  to  hold  Brieulles  and  the  ridge  one  kilo- 
meter northwest  of  Brieulles  under  machine  gun  fire  tomorr  w.  Artillery  and  machine 
guns  now  in  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  will  remain  in  place."  At  9:30  p.m.  the  neces- 
sary instructions  were  issued  to  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Brigade,  2:265. 

^''G-3  Order  No.  701,  Ilird  Corps,  October  5,  191 8,  2:68. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  6,  191 8. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:258. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division. 

^^"  The  following  day,  Oct.  5th,  Companies  A  &  Dwere  placed  under  orders  of  CO. 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  and  remained  in  position  on  Hill  280  protecting  the 
left  flank  of  our  65th  Brigade.  From  these  positions  harassing  fire  and  direct  fire  was 
carried  on  at  intervals  until  the  companies  were  ordered  to  withdraw  to  Bois  de  Forges 
on  evening  of  October  6th  by  the  Division  Commander."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:185. 

^^"5th  October,  1918.  Orders  received  at  10:40  p.m.,  4th  October,  1918  from 
P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade  for  a  joint  patrol  from  130th  Infantry  and  M.  G.  Co.  I24t  h 
M.  G.  Bn.  to  reconnoiter  Trench  Teton  for  purpose  of  infiltrating  machine  guns  and 
automatic  rifles  into  this  position  in  order  to  fire  on  Brieulles  and  ridge  N.  W.  of  tha  t 
point  Co.  A,  124th  M.  G.  Bn.  and  130th  Infantry  furnished  required  number  of  men 
for  this  patrol.  Patrol  reported  it  impossible  to  occupy  Trench  Teton.  Harassing 
fire  carried  on  by  Co.  D,  123  M.  G.  Bn.  and  Companies  A  and  B  124th  M.  G.  Bn. 
throughout  the  day  on  BrieuIles-sur-Meuse  and  ridge  N.  W.  of  BrieulIes-suNMeuse. 


NOTES  341 

Disposition  of  Companies  B  and  C  unchanged.  Enemy  shelling  woods  throughout 
entire  day  and  night.  Enemy  aircraft  active  during  morning.  Brieulles  reported 
burning.  Casualties:  Killed  3  Wounded,  slight  3  Wounded,  serious  i".  Opera- 
tions of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:15-16. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  5  and  6,  191 8. 

^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:146. 

^"October  5th:  Gas  projector  attack  on  the  town  of  Vilosnes  not  carried  out 
account  unfavorable  wind.  First  Battalion  129th  Infantry,  suffered  heavy  casualties 
(5  officers  and  approximately  374  men)  account  prolonged  enemy  gas  attack  throughout 
the  day.  There  was  heavy  hostile  artillery  activity  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Brigade 
P.  C."     Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:597. 

"Oct.  5,  191 8.  First  Battalion  heavily  shelled  with  Yellow  Cross  and  Phosgene 
Gas  mixed  with  shrapnel  and  H.  E.  First  Battalion  ordered  to  withdraw  to  South  Slope 
of  Hill  281.  Company  '  K' relieved  and  rejoined  Third  Battalion.  Second  Battalion 
now  holding  entire  Regimental  Sector,  from  Vilosnes  to  Consenvoye  on  west  bank  of 
Meuse  River.  Regiment  now  organized  in  depth  for  defense.  Casualties — three  (3) 
men  killed;  three  hundred  and  seventy-one  (371)  men  wounded  and  gassed.  Move- 
ments by  Operation  Orders  Nos.  22  and  23,  129th  Infantry,  5th  October,  1918." 
Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:644. 

^^Confidential  Memorandum  No.  18,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  October  5,  1918. 

^'^Map  to  illustrate  the  Argonne  Meuse  Battle,  issued  by  General  Headquarters; 
G-3  Order  No.  701,  Ilird  Corps,  October  5,  1918,  2:68. 

^'Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  6  and  7,  191 8. 

®^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:258. 

^^Order  to  Commanding  Generals,  65th  Infantry  Brigade  and  52nd  Field  Artillery 
Brigade,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  October  6,  1918,  11:45  a.m.,  2:267. 

**Report  of  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:258;  Report 
of  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:264. 

^^"From  these  positions  harassing  fire  and  direct  fire  was  carried  on  at  intervals 
until  the  companies  were  ordered  to  withdraw  to  Bois  de  Forges  on  evening  of  October 
6th  by  the  Division  Commander.  This  order  was  received  too  late  for  the  change  to 
be  made  before  daylight,  so  the  Division  Commander  directed  no  move  until  darkness 
following  night."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 

3:185- 

"6th  October,  1918:  No  change  in  disposition  of  companies.  Harassing  fire 
carried  out  by  Co.  D,  123  M.  G.  Bn.  and  Companies  A  and  D  124th  M.  G.  Bn.  on 
Brieulles-sur-Meuse,  ridge  N.  W.  of  BrieuUes-sur-Meuse,  and  Trench  de  Teton.  Guns 
from  above  three  companies  reopened  fire  on  targets  named  at  6:00  p.m.,  assisting 
artillery  barrage.  Orders  received  from  P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade  for  raid  by  two 
companies  of  the  130th  Infantry  on  Trench  de  Teton.  M.  G.  Companies  to  assist 
overhead  fire.  Preparations  made  for  this.  Raid  not  carried  out  as  planned.  Orders 
received  from  P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade  at  7:45  p.m.  to  have  Companies  A  and  B, 
124th  M.  G.  Bn.  withdraw  and  proceed  to  Bois  de  Forges,  reporting  to  G-3,  33rd 
Division.  Enemy  shelling  heavy  in  woods.  Enemy  aircraft  active  throughout  day. 
Some  Mustard  Gas  in  neighborhood  of  positions  of  Co.  B  in  Bois  de  Dannevoux. 
Casualties:    None."     Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:19. 

^®i3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:84. 


342  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^^G-3  Order  No.  156,  P.  C.  Third  Army  Corps,  October  6,  19 18,  twelve  o'clock. 
This  order  also  attached  one  company  from  a  brigade  machine  gun  battalion  of  the 
33rd  Division  to  the  4th  Division  and  the  necessary  orders  were  issued  to  the  command- 
ing general,  65th  Brigade,  but  at  4:20  p.m.  this  order  was  rescinded.     See  2:268. 

^^"  While  Regiment  was  in  Corps  Reserve  in  vicinity  of  Malancourt  the  3rd  Bat- 
talion was  attached  to  4th  Division  and  reported  to  C.  O.,  59th  Infantry  Regiment 
October  6th,  191 8.  On  the  night  of  October  6th-7th  it  relieved  the  58th  Infantry  and 
a  battalion  of  the  59th  Infantry  in  position  at  Bois  de  Fays."  Report  of  the  Command- 
ing Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:151-152. 

^^G-3  Order  No.  162,  P.  C.  Third  Army  Corps,  October  6,  191 8,  21:20  (hours), 
2:87. 

^"^'Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th   Infantry  Brigade,  2:597. 

^"^"Oct.  6,  1918.  Commanding  Officer,  Third  Battalion,  with  Commanding 
Officer,  Machine  Gun  Company  129th  Infantry,  ordered  by  Division  Commander  to 
report  at  once  to  Commanding  General  65th  Infantry  Brigade.  Combat  Liaison 
Group  with  66th  Infantry  Brigade  released  and  rejoined  Battalion;  Operation  Order 
No.  24,  129th  Infantry  6th  Oct.,  191 8.  Extremely  heavy  artillery  shelling  by  enemy. 
No  casualties  reported."     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:644. 

^°^See  2:267.  Confidential  Memorandum  No.  19,  relating  to  wireless  and 
the  operation  of  wireless  stations,  was  issued  that  day  "To  all  Signal  Officers  and  Radio 
operators  in  the  Division." 

^'''i7thArmy  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  548-S/3,  Special  Order,  dated 
October  6,  1918.  See  2:82.  This  attack  of  the  French  17th  Army  Corps  "on  the 
front  Beaumont  inclusive — the  Meuse  river  inclusive"  had  been  prescribed  by  Field 
Orders  No.  39  of  the  First  Army,  A.  E.  F.,  issued  on  October  5,  1918,  at  14  hours, 
which  announced  that  "The  enemy's  lines  on  the  heights  east  of  the  Meuse  held  by 
three  divisions  have  been  flanked  by  our  advance"  and  that  "The  ist  American  Army 
will  seize  the  heights  east  of  the  Meuse." 

^''^i7thArmy  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  551  S/3,  Special  Order,  dated 
October  6,  1918,  2:83. 

^"^I7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  546-S/3,  October  6,  191 8,  2:80.  This 
plan  of  exploitation  was  based  upon  the  "Plan  of  Engagement"  formulated  two  days 
previously.     17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  532-S/3,  October  4,  1918,  2:62. 

^"^See  2:88;  Field  Order  No.  48,  First  Army,  A.  E.  F.,  announced  that  "The  33d 
Division  is  placed  under  the  command  of  the  17th  French  Corps,  to  take  effect  at 
19:00  Hours,  October  7th,  191 8,"  but  these  latter  field  orders  were  not  issued  until 
October  7,  191 8,  at  18  hours. 

^''^G-3  Order  No.  168,  P.  C.  Third  Army  Corps,  A.  E.  F.,  October  6,  1918,  24 
hours.  The  retention  of  the  33rd  Division  under  the  Ilird  Corps  for  administration 
and  supply  was  likewise  directed  by  Field  Order  No.  50,  First  Army,  Am.  E.  F., 
October  8,  191 8,  10  hours. 

^°^In  compliance  with  Field  Order  No.  23,  P.  C.  Third  Army  Corps,  October  6, 
1918,  19:30  o'clock,  and  G-3  Order  No.  163,  P.  C.  Ilird  Army  Corps,  October  7,  1918, 
12:30  o'clock,  2:84,  88. 

^"^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  7  and  8,  1918. 


NOTES  343 

^^"Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:258. 

^^^"  13:00.  Issued  our  Field  Order  #  6,  for  co-operation  in  the  attack  of  the  17th 
French  Corps  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Meuse  ....  A  detachment  consisting  of  104th 
Field  Arty.,  2nd  Battalion,  105th  Field  Arty.,  and  2nd  Battalion  io6th  Field  Arty., 
under  the  orders  of  Colonel  E.  T.  Smith,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  was  formed  and  placed 
under  the  orders  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Infantry  Detachment,  33rd  Division 
which  was  to  attack  between  the  Meuse  and  Parallel  #  24.  This  attack  was  to  be 
made  at  5:00  hrs.,  Oct.  8th,  1918;  battery  positions  fixed  by  17th  Corps."     Ibid. 

^^^Ibid.   Report  of  Operations  of  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:276. 

113"  jj^jg  [withdrawal  from  the  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  to  the  Bois  de  Forges]  was 
done  on  evening  of  Oct.  7th,  the  companies  reaching  Forges  Wood  about  9:00  p.m.  and 
reporting  to  their  battalion  commander.  During  practically  all  the  period  covered  by 
this  report  these  companies  received  heavy  shell  fire  and  much  gas.  On  the  with- 
drawal. Sergeant  Castle  C.  Williams  was  killed.  Total  casualties:  Co.  A,  Killed,  i; 
Wounded,  i."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
3:185. 

"*"  7  th  October,  1918:  No  change  in  disposition  of  companies.  Companies  Aand 
B,  124th  M.  G.  Bn.  left  for  Bois  de  Forges  early  in  morning.  Harassing  fire  carried 
on  by  Co.  D  on  Brieulles,  and  ridge  N.  W.  of  Brieulles.  Visibility  poor.  Bois  de 
Foret  reported  burning.  Light  enemy  shelling  throughout  day.  Light  concentration 
of  sneezing  gas.  Casualties:  Wounded,  slight  6."  Operations  of  the  123d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  3:19. 

^^^See  above,  1:338,  n.  61. 

^^^"The  night  of  October  7th  the  2nd  Battalion  and  the  131st  M.  G.  Co.,  Major 
Ridgway  commanding,  was  detailed  to  the  i32d  Infantry  and  were  used  as  supporting 
Battalion  of  the  force  which  attacked  under  orders  of  Colonel  Davis  at  11:00  a.m., 
October  8th.  The  afternoon  of  October  7th  orders  were  received  that  the  108th 
Engineers  were  to  build  bridges  across  the  Meuse  river  that  night  both  north  and  south 
of  Consenvoye  bridge."     131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:84. 

"^G-3  Order  No.  162,  P.  C.  Ilird  Army  Corps,  October  6,  191 8,  21.20  hours, 
2:87. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:185. 

"^The  Division  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  also  in  position  at  the  Cote  de  I'Oie, 
where  it  had  remained  since  September  26.  The  Report  of  Operations  made  by  its 
commanding  officer  states  that  "At  8.30  p.m.  7th  October,  191 8,  the  Division  Commander 
directed  that  I  detach  one  of  my  companies  and  have  the  C.  O.  report  to  the  C.  G. 
66th  Inf.  Brigade  for  duty.  This  he  did  immediately  but  did  not  move  until 
10:35  a.m.,  9th  October,  1918,"  2:558. 

^^"See  above,  1:97. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:152. 

^^^"Oct.  7,  191 8.  No  movements.  Third  Battalion  and  attached  Machine  Gun 
Company  129th  Inf.,  concentrated  at  Bois  Rond  to  facilitate  any  movement.  Heavy 
enemy  shell  fire.  Casualties— three  (3)  officers  wounded,  one  hundred  and  six  (106) 
men  wounded.  (Gassed  and  shell  fire)."  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th 
Infantry,  2:645. 


344  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^'^"  October  7th:  For  the  purpose  of  operations  covered  by  Field  Orders,  No.  27> 
Headquarters  33rd  Division,  and  by  direction  of  the  Division  Commander,  3rd  Bn., 
129th  Infantry,  with  129th  Machine  Gun  Company  attached,  ordered  to  report  to 
Commanding  General,  66th  Infantry  Brigade  on  the  east  bank  of  the  River  Meuse  for 
temporary  duty.  Effective  strength  of  ist  Bn.  129th  Infantry  reported,  as  result  of 
enemy  gas  attack  October  5th,  as  17  officers,  305  men.  Investigation  at  once  started 
to  determine  the  actual  number  of  serious  cases,  with  a  view  to  having  returned  to 
duty  those  not  seriously  gassed."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry 
Brigade,  2:597.  See  also  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry  in  2:658. 

^^*An  order,  dated  October  7,  1918,  was  received  from  the  Chief  of  Staff,  IlIrd 
Corps,  directing  "a  series  of  small  operations  such  as  combat  patrols,  raids  and  bom- 
bardments to  be  made  against  the  enemy's  trenches  known  as  the  Trench  du  Teton 
and  against  the  nose  that  runs  northeastward  therefrom  so  as  to  make  this  trench  and 
this  ridge  untenable  by  the  enemy." 

^^^See  2:91;   also  Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  2:470. 

^"^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant,  who  at  that  time  was  acting  as  liaison  officer 
from  the  33rd  Division  to  the  i8th  French  Division,  and  who  accompanied  General 
Andlauer.  The  preparations  to  be  made  and  the  execution  of  instructions  from  the 
17th  Army  Corps  prescribed  by  Secret  Message  to  the  Commanding  General,  33rd 
Division,  issued  by  the  Headquarters  IlIrd  Army  Corps  (G-3,  No.  709)  on  October  7, 
I918,  had  thus  been  anticipated,  2:89. 

^^^Field  Orders  No.  39,  First  Army,  A.  E.  F.,  dated  October  5,  1918,  gave  the  17th 
French  Army  Corps  as  composed  of  the  loth  and  15th  French  Colonial  Divisions,  the 
18th  and  26th  French  Divisions  and  the  29th  American  Division,  2:67. 

■^^*i7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  532-S/3,  Plan  of  Engagement,  October 
4,  1918,  2:64-65. 

^^^I7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  546-S/3,  Personal  and  Secret  Note 
for  the  Generals  commanding  the  29th  and  33rd  Divisions,  U.  S.,  October  6,  1918, 
2:80. 

^^"Field  Order  No.  39,  ist  Army,  A.  E.  F.,  October  5,  19 18, 14  hours,  2:66. 

^^'^Ibid.;  G-3  Order  No.  159,  P.  C.  Ilird  Army  Corps,  October  6,  1918,  4:30  p.m. 

^'^See  description  of  the  work  of  the  io8th  Engineers,  in  Report  of  the  Command- 
ing Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  December  26,  191 8,  2:516. 

^^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^*Report  of  the  Acting  Division  Signal  Officer,  2:547. 

^^^During  the  period  from  September  22  to  October  7,  1918,  inclusive,  apart  from 
the  usual  routine  work  and  from  the  various  orders  and  memoranda  to  which  allusion 
has  been  made  in  the  course  of  this  narrative  (see  also  Journal  of  Operations,  2:468- 
471),  the  Headquarters  of  the  33rd  Division  issued  four  training  circulars,  namely: 
Nos.  178,  179,  180,  and  181. 


CHAPTER  V 

^In  conformity  with  the  Plan  of  Engagement  issued  on  October  4,  1918,  by  the 
17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  532-S/3,  2:62.  There  was  no  creeping 
barrage  but  fixed  barrages  applied  to  sensitive  points  and  lifting  as  the  infantry  pro- 
gressed (Plan  of  Engagement  of  the  i8th  Infantry  Division,  i8th  Division  Staff,  3rd 
Bureau,  No.  840/3,  October  5,  191 8,  2:69.) 

^The  58th  Infantry  Brigade  (29th  American  Division  left  its  cantonments  at 
6  P.M.  on  October  7,  and  during  the  night  assumed  the  following  positions. 

115th  Infantry:  ist  Battalion  on  the  southern  slopes  of  the  Cote  des  Roches 
between  the  quarries  five  hundred  meters  southeast  of  Brabant  and  the  ravine  twelve 
hundred  meters  southeast  of  that  place,  facing  north;  the  2nd  Battalion  behind  the  ist 
in  the  dry  bed  of  the  canal  south  of  the  Samogneux-Brabant  road;  and  the  3rd  Battal- 
ion at  Regneville  in  readiness  to  cross  the  Meuse. 

Ii6th  Infantry:  1st  Battalion  south  of  the  above-mentioned  ravine  and  north 
of  the  road  from  Samogneux  to  Haumont,  its  right  on  that  road,  its  left  on  the  Meuse 
Canal,  facing  north;  the  2nd  Battalion  in  its  rear  in  the  bed  of  the  canal,  its  left  touch- 
ing the  left  of  the  ist  Battalion  and  its  right  extending  toward  Samogneux;  and  the 
3rd  Battalion  in  reserve  in  the  bed  of  the  canal  south  of  Samogneux  and  about  fifteen 
hundred  meters  northeast  of  Neuville. 

These  positions  were  assumed  pursuant  to  orders  from  General  Andlauer,  under 
whose  command  the  attack  was  made  (Addition  to  the  Plan  of  Engagement,  i8th 
Division,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  843/3,  October  6,  1918,  2:77)  and  their  occupation 
was  covered  by  a  company  from  the  66th  French  Infantry  which  took  station  at  the 
Cote  des  Roches  and  Brabant  at  nightfall  on  October  7. 

*The  Ii6th  Infantry  on  the  right  next  to  the  77th  French  Infantry  and  the  115th 
Infantry  on  the  left  adjacent  to  the  Meuse.  Each  regiment  had  one  battalion  in  the 
first  line,  one  in  support,  and  one  in  reserve.  The  front  line  battalions  had  two  com- 
panies in  the  first  line  and  two  in  support.  The  support  battalions  were  five  hundred 
meters  behind  the  front  line  battalions  and  the  reserve  battalions  one  thousand  meters 
in  the  rear  of  the  support  battalions. 

^Reports  of  the  Liaison  Officer  of  the  33rd  Division  with  the  French  i8th  Division 
(the  author  of  this  history)  October  8,  191 8,  6:15  and  7:20  a.m. 

1 8th  French  Division      58th  American  Brigade 

"First  or  intermediate  objective  Bois  d'Haumont  Malbrouck 

Second  or  normal  objective  Bois  d'Ormont  Molleville  Ferme 

^Report  of  the  Liaison  Officer,  33rd  Division,  October  8,  I918,  8  a.m. 

^Plan  of  Engagement  of  the  i8th  Infantry  Division,  i8th  Division,  Staff,  3rd 
Bureau,  No.  840/3,  October  5,  1918,  2:72. 

^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  2:517  ff.  "Over  these  two 
bridges  were  crossed  all  the  Infantry  of  the  33rd  Division  except  two  battalions  that 
participated  in  the  attacks  of  the  Division  in  the  subsequent  operations  north  of  Con- 
senvoye.  Much  credit  is  due  to  the  io8th  Engineers  who  constructed  and  repaired 
these  bridges  in  the  face  of  heavy  shell  fire  and  difficulty  of  operation."  131st  Infan- 
try Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:84. 

^"The  Division  was  ordered  to  attack  and  advance  across  the  Meuse  River  on  the 
morning  of  October  8th.     At  this  particular  point  the  river  runs  almost  East  and  West, 

345 


346  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

and  the  Germans  were  strongly  entrenched  on  the  North  side,  the  river  itself  being  in 
No  Man's  Land.  In  order  that  there  would  be  no  break  in  communication  after  our 
infantry  advanced,  it  was  desired  that  a  cable  be  put  across  the  River.  Lieut.  Russell 
A.  Schmidt,  with  a  detail  from  Company  B,  laid  a  wire  up  to  the  river  under  cover  of 
darkness  on  the  night  of  October  7th-8th.  While  running  out  the  wire  the  detail 
encountered  a  German  Patrol  of  two  men  which  they  promptly  captured  and  sent  back. 
This  was  an  all  night  [task],  however,  Lt.  Schmidt,  Corporal  Venerable  and  Private 
Morou  crossed  the  river  with  the  cable.  Private  Schroeder  remaining  on  our  side. 
They  got  the  cable  in  place  but  day  was  now  breaking  and  the  Germans  discovered 
them.  They  were  subject  to  heavy  rifle  fire  from  the  German  outpost  and  Lt.  Schmidt, 
Corporal  Venerable  and  Private  Morou  were  wounded  and  taken  prisoner.  Private 
Schroeder  on  our  side  of  the  River  evaded  capture  and  injury  and  got  back  to  our  lines. 
The  cable  was  across  however,  and  when  the  first  wave  of  our  infantry  crossed  the 
river  shortly  afterwards  they  had  communication  back  to  their  Regimental  P.  C.  .  .  . 
Our  infantry  before  eleven  o'clock  that  morning  had  retaken  Lt.  Schmidt,  Corp.  Ven- 
erable and  Private  Morou  and  returned  them  safely  to  our  field  hospital."  Report 
of  the  Acting  Division  Signal  Officer,  2:553-554.  See  also  Record  of  io8th  Field  Signal 
Battalion,  2:549. 

^"The  forces  under  Colonel  Davis'  command  consisted  of  the  ist  and  2nd  Bat- 
talions, 132nd  Infantry;  the  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  131st  Infantry; 
Companies  A  and  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion;  2  companies,  io8th  Engineers; 
2  battalions,  104th  Field  Artillery;  the  2nd  Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery;  and  the 
2nd  Battalion,  io6th  Field  Artillery.  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd 
Infantry,  3:153. 

^^"Our  advance  started  at  9:00  a.m.  On  notice  from  the  Division  that  the  French 
Corps  had  reached  its  normal  objective.  The  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry  leading, 
crossed  the  River  Meuse  over  the  bridge  at  Brabant,  and  was  followed  over  the  same 
bridge  by  the  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry."  Il>iJ.  See  also  Reports  of  the  Com- 
manding Officers,  1st  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  3:172,  176. 

^^Mention  of  the  method  first  used  by  the  33rd  Division  is  made  in  Notes  on 
Recent  Operations,  No.  3  (Confidential  No.  1376,  G-5),  G.H.Q.,  October  12,  191 8. 

^*"Co.  A:  Reported  to  battalion  commander,  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  on 
the  morning  of  8th  Oct.,  19 18  at  8:00  a.m.,  on  the  East  edge  of  Forges  Wood.  Platoons 
were  assigned  their  tasks  and  the  two  platoons  that  had  tasks  with  the  attacking 
Infantry  were  formed  up  with  those  companies,  and  the  support  platoon  was  formed 
up  with  the  Infantry  support.  The  battalion  was  formed  in  single  file  and  marched 
Southeast  toward  Brabant,  where  they  crossed  the  Meuse  on  a  newly  constructed 
bridge  under  desultory  enemy  artillery  fire  which  played  along  the  valley  of  the  Meuse. 
After  crossing  the  River,  the  battalion  formed  up  two  companies  in  the  front  line,  two 
companies  in  support,  with  a  machine  gun  platoon  assigned  tasks  with  each  attacking 
company  and  with  one  machine  gun  platoon  held  in  support,  its  place  being  100  yards 
in  front  of  the  infantry  support,  infantry  being  formed  in  artillery  formation  or  squad 
column,  machine  gun  platoons  taking  same  formation. 

"The  task  given  to  machine  gun  platoons  with  the  attacking  troops  was  as  follows: 
They  were  to  take  a  formation  well  out  to  the  right  and  left  flanks  and  in  rear  of  the 
front  line,  assisting  the  infantry  in  the  advance  in  every  way  possible  by  overhead  fire. 


NOTES  347 

flanking  fire,  etc.,  and  on  arriving  on  the  objective  to  take  positions  that  would  give 
them  command  of  the  ground  in  front  and  to  the  flanks  of  the  new  line  and  cover  the 
infantry  while  this  new  line  was  being  consolidated.  The  support  platoon  was  under 
control  and  to  await  orders  of  the  machine  gun  company  commander."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  Company  A,  in  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:185. 

^®"Cg.  D:  Reported  to  C.  O.  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry  on  evening  of  October 
7th  upon  return  from  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont.  Battalion  and  M.  G.  Company  formed 
up  on  camouflaged  road  West  of  Meuse  River  at  about  8:00  a.m.,  Oct.  8th,  and,  at 
about  10:00  A.M.  crossed  the  Meuse  South  of  Brabant  under  quite  heavy  shell  fire,  but 
without  casualties.  From  there  advance  was  taken  up,  the  machine  gun  platoons 
being  assigned  tasks  with  certain  waves  of  the  infantry  and  advancing  with  infantry  for- 
mation, i.  e.,  squad  columns.  25  ammunition  carriers  were  assigned  from  the  infantry 
and  most  of  these  men  did  splendid  work  during  the  advance."  Report  of  Command- 
ing Officer,  Company  D,  in  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:188. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:153. 

^^"Co.  B:  As  a'resultof  hard  work  during  the  night  of  Oct.  7th-8th,  this  Company 
placed  12  guns  in  position  at  about  Forges  198-808  as  per  barrage  scheme.  Fire  was 
opened  at  10:30  a.m.,  Oct.  8th,  upon  the  edge  of  Chaume  Wood  and  the  copse  along 
that  slope  toward  the  River.  The  order  to  cease  firing  came  at  10:45  a.m.,  as  the 
attack  had  been  held  up  near  the  starting  point."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
Company  B,  in  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion 
3:187. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:184. 

^^Report  of  the  Liaison  Officer  at  the  P.  C.  of  the  1 8th  French  Division,  October  8, 
10:15  A.M. 

^''Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:153-154. 

"About  500  yards  South  of  Consenvoye  met  with  machine  gun  fire  from  South- 
west of  Consenvoye.  Two  machine  guns  and  a  group  of  infantry  stopped  this  fire  and 
captured  40  prisoners.  Some  opposition  was  met  in  Consenvoye  at  the  church,  where 
about  70  prisoners  and  8  British  Lewis  guns  were  taken."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188. 

^^During  the  advance,  the  progress  of  the  attacking  waves  was  arrested  by  haras- 
sing machine-gun  fire  from  the  Bois  de  Consenvoye  on  the  right,  and  Second  Lieutenant 
Arvid  W.  Gulbrandsen  was  ordered  to  cover  the  right  flanks  with  a  detachment  of 
fifteen  men.  After  proceeding  some  distance  in  the  direction  of  the  fire,  he  discovered 
that  it  came  from  a  strong  machine-gun  nest.  Realizing  that  further  advance  by  the 
attacking  wave  was  dependent  upon  the  elimination  of  this  obstacle,  he  and  his  detach- 
ment surrounded  the  nest  and,  in  spite  of  the  great  odds  against  them  and  the  stubborn 
resistance  encountered,  attacked  the  enemy  position.  So  skillful  were  his  dispositions 
and  so  concentrated  the  fire  delivered  by  his  detachment  that  the  enemy  was  deceived 
into  believing  that  the  attack  of  the  leading  elements  of  the  American  forces  was  being 
made  against  the  woods.  The  enemy's  fire  was  consequently  shifted  from  the  main 
line  to  Lieutenant  Gulbrandsen's  force  and  the  former  was  thus  enabled  to  continue 
its  movement.     In  this  fight  against  desperate  odds  every  one  of  the  detachment  was 


348  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

killed,  but  the  sacrifice  which  these  sixteen  men  willingly  made  permitted  the  other 
troops  to  attain  their  objective.  Apart  from  the  extraordinary  heroism  displayed  by 
Lieutenant  Gulbrandsen  and  his  men,  their  conduct  was  a  splendid  example  of  a 
thorough  understanding  of  a  soldier's  mission  in  battle. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:154;  Reports  of  the 
Commanding  Officers,  ist  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry,  3:171,  172.  "The 
battalion  [i.e.,  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry]  advanced  to  the  road  running  East  out 
of  Consenvoye  which  was  known  as  the  first  objective,  where  they  awaited  the  artillery 
barrage.  About  12:30  p.m.,  8th  Oct.,  1918,  we  were  attacked  on  our  right  flank 
by  machine  gun  fire.  One  infantry  platoon  and  one  section  of  machine  guns  were  sent 
to  clean  up  these  enemy  machine  guns.  The  infantry  platoon,  one  machine  gun  team 
and  part  of  the  other  one  were  captured."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company 
A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:186. 

^^Reports  of  the  Liaison  Officer  with  the  i8th  Division,  October  8,  191 8,  noon  and 
1:50  P.M. 

^''Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:154. 

-^"15:00  1st  Battalion,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  ceased  firing.  From  this  time, 
artillery  support  of  attack  by  Infantry  Detachment,  33rd  Division  was  furnished  by 
the  Artillery  Detachment  under  command  of  Colonel  E.  T.  Smith,  io6th  Field  Artil- 
lery."    Report    of    the    Commanding     General,     52nd     Field     Artillery     Brigade, 

3:259- 

^^"The  artillery  barrage  was  started  at  the  proper  hour  but  fell  from  300  yards  to 
500  yards  short,  and  caused  our  troops  to  withdraw.  We  then  received  an  order  from 
C.  O.  132nd  Infantry  to  advance  until  4:45  p.m.  We  started  the  advance  about 
2:30  P.M.  and  advanced  to  a  point  about  200  yards  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  where 
we  dug  in."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:186. 

"After  a  halt  of  about  4  hours  awaiting  orders  as  to  H  hour,  such  order  was  not 
received,  so  the  ist  and  2nd  Battalions  formed  up  on  road  running  Northeast  from 
Consenvoye  and  battalion  commanders  went  into  a  conference.  At  this  time  our 
artillery  barrage  opened  and  fell  upon  our  troops,  forcing  them  to  withdraw  towards  the 
South  to  a  small  ravine,  which  was  accomplished  by  the  machine  gunners  in  good  order 
and  without  casualties.  The  advance  was  taken  up  about  4:30  p.m.  and  continued 
until  darkness,  at  which  time  had  reached  about  i  kilometer  North  of  Consenvoye, 
where  halt  was  made  for  the  night."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  D, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188-189. 

The  advance  actually  began  at  4  p.m.  as  stated  by  Colonel  Davis.  That  was  the 
time  fixed  by  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  and  the  hour  at  which  the  barrage  came 
down  according  to  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery, 
3:264. 

^''Reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers,  ist  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry, 
3:170-172.     See  Field  Order  No.  28,  33rd  Division,  October  8,  1918,  11:45  p-m.,  2:283. 

^liid;  Order  No  3,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  571-S/3,  October  8, 
1918,  2:89.  Report  of  Liaison  Officer  of  the  33rd  Division  with  the  French  i8th 
Division,  October  8,  1918,  6  p.m. 

^'Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:41. 


NOTES  349 

^""General  here  is  going  to  start  exploitation  by  his  left  and  the  132nd  (Infantry) 
may  therefore  push  farther  north  than  Brigade  of  29th  Division  which,  when  last 
heard  from,  was  on  Normal  Objective,  with  orders  to  push  forward  patrols.  Thi 
information  is  given  for  the  purpose  of  explaining  manoeuvre  which  General  command 
ing  i8th  French  Division  now  proposes  to  make."  Report  of  Liaison  Officer,  33rd 
Division,  at  P.  C.  Neptune,  October  8,  1918,  2:45  p.m. 

^^"The  afternoon  of  October  8th  orders  were  received  to  assemble  the  two  remain- 
ing battalions  of  the  regiment  as  reserve  in  case  of  the  troops  under  command  of  Colonel 
Davis  needed  support.  The  ist  Battalion  was  assembled  along  the  east  edge,  the  3rd 
Battalion  along  the  north  edge  of  Forges  Wood  under  cover,  and  remained  in  positions 
until  the  night  of  October  9th-ioth."  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume, 
3:84. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:187,  189. 
The  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:92,  states  that  "During  the 
attack  of  October  8th  and  until  the  evening  of  the  9th  the  companies  of  the  124th 
Machine  Gun  Bn  and  the  M  G  Co  of  the  129th  Infantry  were  located  along  the  western 
edge  of  the  Meuse  river  on  the  rise  overlooking  the  flats  in  their  immediate  front  and 
the  rising  ground  east  of  the  river.  Their  function  was  to  support  the  attack  by 
delivering  harassing  fire  upon  the  enemy's  position." 

^^"October  8th:  By  direction  of  the  Division  Commander  no  further  Infantry 
Operations  in  the  direction  of  the  Trench  de  Teton  were  to  be  made.  130th  Infantry 
pushed  forward  its  troops  in  Outpost  Zone  to  the  immediate  south  bank  of  the  River 
Meuse."     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  2:598. 

'^"Oct.  8,  191 8.  Third  Battalion  ordered  to  East  side  of  Meuse  River  to  reinforce 
the  132nd  Infantry,  (66th  Infantry  Brigade).  Movement  complete  at  2.00  a.m.  9th 
October.  V.O.C.O.  132nd  Infantry.  Remainder  of  Regiment  held  line.  Extremely 
heavy  shell  fire.  Casualties,  two  (2)  officers  wounded,  one  hundred  and  seventy-six 
(176)  men  wounded.  (Gassed  and  shell  fire)."  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
129th  Infantry,  2:645. 

"On  October  8th  I  reported  my  Battalion  under  verbal  orders  of  Colonel  Sanborn 
to  Colonel  Davis,  132nd  Infantry,  who  ordered  me  to  move  at  once  from  Bois-Rond 
to  Bois  de  Forges.'  Move  completed  at  4:00  a.m.  October  9th. "  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:660. 

"October  9th — Left  Hill  281  for  Bois  de  Forges  woods  near  Drillancourt  arriving 
about  daylight."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Machine  Gun  Company,  129th 
Infantry,  2:662-663. 

^^"8th  October,  1918.  Companies  A  and  D,  123  M.  G.  Bn.  pass  to  the  command 
of  Commanding  Officer  130th  Infantry.  Disposition  of  Companies  B  and  C  un- 
changed. No  operations  carried  on.  Heavy  enemy  shelling  at  intervals  during  the  day. 
Great  number  of  Mustard  and  Sneezing  Gas  shells  thrown  into  Bois  de  Dannevoux 
and  Bois  des  Moriaux.  Casualties:  Wounded,  slight  2."  Operations  of  123d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:19. 

^^"On  October  8th,  191 8,  while  in  command  of  the  3rd  Bn.,  130th  Infantry,  acting 
as  Reserve  for  the  65th  Brigade,  U.  S.  A.,  and  in  the  trenches  to  the  left  of  Hill  281  in 
front  of  Bethincourt,  I  received  verbal  orders  to  report  my  battalion  to  the  Command- 
ing Officer,  129th  Infantry,  in  the  vicinity  of  Drillancourt  and  to  come  under  the  com- 
mand of  the  Commanding  Officer,  129th  Infantry,  said  move  being  completed  on  the 


350  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

night  of  October  9th,  191 8."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  130th 
Infantry,  2:693. 

^■^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:259; 
Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:284. 

^^First  and  2nd  Battalions,  104th  Field  Artillery,  southwest  of  the  Bois  de  Forges; 
2nd  Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery,  on  the  southern  slopes  of  the  Cote  de  I'Oie;  and 
the  2nd  Battalion,  105th  Field  Artillery  (155-millimeter  howitzers)  northwest  of 
Chattancourt. 

^^Report  of  Operations  of  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:276. 

'^''Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:264. 

^^"From  15H50  to  17H25  accompanying  fire  in  conjunction  with  attack  of  Colonel 
Davis'  detachment.  1674  rounds  on  areas  designated  by  Operations  Order  No.  11, 
Hdqrs.  io6th  F.  A."     Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:284. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  8  and  9,  19 18. 

^'i7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  571-S/3,  Order  No.  3,  dated  October  8, 
1918,  2:89. 

^•'See  2:284. 

^'First  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry;  Companies  A  and  D,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion;  and  the  2nd  Battalion  and  Machine  Gun  Company,  131st  Infantry,  in 
support,  all  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Abel  Davis,  132nd  Infantry. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:269;  Report  of 
Operations  of  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:276. 

*^"  At  9.40  A.M.  received  phone  order  to  fire  another  barrage  immediately  at  a  point 
300  meters  beyond  previous  barrage  at  a  slow  rate  of  fire  until  ordered  to  cease  firing. 
Ordered  to  cease  firing  at  11  a.m."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field 
Artillery,  3:264;  see  also  Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:284. 

■^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:155;  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  1st  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  3:173. 

"During  night  orders  were  received  to  advance  the  following  morning  and  that 
barrage  would  begin  at  6:00  a.m.  At  5:30  a.m.,  Oct.  9,  1918,  ist  Battalion  moved  up 
about  500  yards  to  right  front  to  join  2nd  Battalion  and  there  awaited  lift  of  barrage. 
At  6:00  a.m.  barrage  opened  and  fell  short  upon  our  own  men,  forcing  them  to  withdraw 
and  await  the  lift.  After  barrage  lifted,  advance  was  taken  up.  Was  held  up  several 
times  by  machine  gun  fire  from  Bois  de  Chaume,  but  this  was  overcome  and  final 
objective  was  reached  about  11:55  a.m.  The  machine  guns  were  here  disposed  of, 
covering  consolidation  and  with  guns  laid  on  points  from  which  counter-attack  was 
expected."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:189. 

■^^Before  9  a.m.  the  58th  Brigade  was  counterattacked  on  its  right  by  the  167th 
Infantry  of  the  32nd  German  Division  and  its  progress  completely  arrested. 

^°Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:155.  Also  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  which  gives  a  graphic  picture  of 
this  advance  and  the  predicament  in  which  the  troops  found  themselves  upon  reaching 
the  second  exploitation  objective  where  "the  enemy  planes  came  over  and  obtained 
photos  of  our  position  and  dove  down  close  to  the  positions  firing  upon  our  men,  who 
returned  the  fire  with  rifles.  .  .  .  the  enemy's  fire  was  terrific  and  continuous.  All  we 


NOTES  351 

could  do  was  seek  cover  and  await  darkness.  After  the  lapse  of  about  one  hour  the 
enemy  planes  again  came  over  and  delivered  a  terrific  machine  gun  fire,  dropped  a 
signal  and  immediately  a  heavy  enemy  barrage  was  laid  down  on  our  front  line  forcing 
the  men  to  retire  back  half  way  down  the  reversed  slope  of  the  ridge."     See  3:177. 

"The  battalion  commander  issued  orders  to  the  effect  that  we  would  continue  the 
advance  the  following  morning  [October  9]  and  carry  out  the  same  plans  with  the 
exception  that  the  H  hour  would  be  at  6:00  a.m.  unless  orders  to  the  contrary  were 
issued.  We  were  on  the  forming  line  at  6:00  a.m.  the  following  morning  when  the 
artillery  barrage  fell  short  again,  causing  our  troops  to  withdraw  about  300  yards.  As 
the  barrage  lifted  the  advance  was  started,  and  the  troops  advanced  to  the  first  exploita- 
tive objective,  which  was  the  North  edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume,  and  awaited  the  stand- 
ing barrage  to  lift.  As  the  barrage  lifted  the  advance  was  continued  [by  patrols]  to 
the  second  exploitative  objective.  On  arriving  at  the  first  exploitative  objective,  I 
consulted  the  infantry  battalion  commander  and  was  informed  that  it  it  was  impossible 
to  hold  the  advanced  positions  the  advanced  troops  would  be  withdrawn  to  the  first 
exploitative  objective  and  that  this  position  would  be  held. 

"We  started  the  advance  that  morning  with  10  guns.  One  platoon  was  lost  in  the 
heavy  fog  and  woods,  leaving  us  with  6  guns.  Our  right  flank  being  open,  I  endeavored 
to  protect  it  with  these  6  guns  echeloned  in  depth.  At  1 1  :oo  a.m.  a  report  came  back 
from  the  front  line  stating  that  the  enemy  was  attacking  on  our  right  flank."  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:186. 

^'Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:155. 

^-"The  enemy  encountered  in  this  operation  belonged  to  the  ist  Austro-Hungarian 
Division.  These  troops  were  of  poor  quality  and  low  morale.  They  were  supported 
by  German  machine  guns  and  minenwerfers."     Il>id.,  157. 

^Ibid.,  157;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry, 
3:171. 

^^^8th  Brigade  of  the  29th  Division,  U.  S.  A. 

^^During  the  first  part  of  the  morning  the  following  order  was  issued  by  the  Com- 
mander of  the  1 8th  French  Division  (i8th  Division,  3rd  Bureau,  Special  Order  No. 
864/3,  P-  C.  October  9,  1918):— 

"The  58th  Brigade,  U.  S.  has  been  counter-attacked  this  morning  in  the  southwest- 
ern part  of  the  Fme.  Molleville.  It  has  been  obliged  to  retire  slightly  its  elements  in 
this  direction. 

"The  mission  of  the  58th  Brigade  for  the  day  of  9th  October  consists  in  retaking 
the  ground  lost  and  in  attaining  the  Normal  Objective  everywhere. 

"The  Commander  of  the  Brigade  disposes  of  the  total  of  his  six  battalions  for 
this  purpose. 

"The  fog  and  the  combat  in  the  woods  should  permit  the  American  Infantry,  in  a 
hand  to  hand  attack,  to  show  its  entire  superiority  over  the  infantry  of  the  adversary. 

"Send  frequently  officers  to  reconnoitre  the  exact  location  attained  by  our  first 
line.  Immediately  transmit  all  the  information  obtained  to  the  General  commanding 
the  i8th  Infantry  Division. 

Andlauer." 
hi  11:25  A.M.  the  Liaison  Officer  of  the  33rd  Division  reported:  "The  58th  Brigade 


352  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

has  attained  the  Normal  Objective  where  its  left  is,  whereas  its  right  was  momentarily 
driven  back  by  a  counter-attack.  ....  There  is  a  little  uncertainty  about  the  58th 
Brigade.  The  58th  Brigade  claims  to  be  on  the  Normal  Objective  and  is  starting  to 
push  forward  ..." 

That  the  entire  58th  Brigade  did  not  reach  its  normal  objective — which  included 
the  Molleville  Ferme — that  afternoon  is  evidenced  by  Special  Order  No.  869/3, 
issued  by  the  i8th  French  Division,  October  9,  191 8,  about  5  p.m. 

"Information  from  an  aviator  states  that  at  16  hours  a  barricade  of  khaki  uniforms 
was  across  the  road  from  Consenvoye  to  Reville,  to  the  east  of  Richene  at  (Point) 

48.17- 

"The  58th  Brigade,  U.  S.,  will  seek  to  exploit  its  success  by  capturing  the  Molle- 
ville Fme.,  the  object  being  always  to  outflank  from  the  west  to  the  east  the  resistance 
which  is  stopping  the  progression  toward  the  north  of  the  i8th  Infantry  Division. 
Report  as  soon  as  the  Molleville  Fme.  has  been  occupied  by  the  58th  Brigade. 

"The  heights  of  Richene,  which  is  an  observatory  of  the  highest  importance  for 
the  enemy  as  well  as  for  us,  ought  to  be  held  at  all  costs. 

Andlauer." 

^^232nd  Reserve  Infantry  Regiment  and  the  105th  Sturm  Battalion.  Report  of 
the  Commanding  Officer,  1.32nd  Infantry,  3:157. 

*^See  also  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry, 
which  describes  how  all  trace  was  lost  of  Captain  McCormick  and  five  men  of  Company 
F,  and  Captain  Masoner  and  one  hundred  men  of  Company  G;  how  these  officers  and 
men,  completely  surrounded  by  the  enemy,  gallantly  held  their  advanced  position 
throughout  the  night;  and  how  they  were  discovered  next  morning  by  the  131st  Infan- 
try still  in  possession  of  the  position  on  the  objective  which  they  had  defended  against 
such  odds,  3:178. 

"After  numerous  counter-attacks  by  the  enemy  on  our  right  and  right  center, 
these  attacks  being  launched  betv/een  11:00  a.m.  and  2:30  p.m.,  we  received  a  message 
from  the  front  line  stating  it  would  be  impossible  to  hold  that  line.  The  infantry 
battalion  commander  [i.e.  2nd  Battalion]  at  once  called  a  conference  and  decided  to 
withdraw  from  the  advanced  positions  to  the  first  exploitative  objective.  I  at  once 
sent  one  machine  gun  section,  consisting  of  two  guns,  to  the  right  center  of  the  advanced 
line  to  cover  the  withdrawal  of  the  infantry.  These  guns  were  both  lost.  The  infantry 
battalion  commander  ordered  me  to  report  to  the  C.  O.  132nd  Infantry  and  report  the 
situation.  On  reporting  to  the  P.  C.  132nd  Infantry,  I  found  the  Commanding  Officer 
had  gone  to  the  front,  and  reported  to  the  Commanding  General,  66th  Brigade.  He 
ordered  me  to  report  to  the  P.  C.  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  where  I  would  find 
the  C.  O.  132nd  Infantry.  I  there  found  the  infantry  battalion  commander  to  which 
I  was  attached,  and  also  found  that  the  battalion  had  been  withdrawn  to  the  South 
edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume  into  the  positions  we  had  left  that  morning. 

"At  7:00  P.M.  on  Oct.  9th,  191 8,  I  received  a  report  that  the  support  companies 
which  were  holding  the  first  exploitative  objective  had  not  withdrawn,  and  that  one 
section  of  machine  guns  and  two  Boche  machine  guns  manned  by  members  of  my 
company  were  still  in  action  and  holding  that  position.  It  has  been  reported  that 
these  machine  gun  teams  which  stayed  in  their  positions  caused  the  enemy  severe  losses 
and  broke  up  their  attack.  These  teams  were  withdrawn  the  following  morning  and 
took  positions  in  reserve  at  the  South  edge  of  Bois  de  Chaume  after  the  advance  of 


NOTES  353 

fresh  troops.  About  10,000  rounds  of  ammunition  were  expended,  5  guns  put  out  of 
action  by  artillery  fire,  and  i  gun  lost. 

"Casualties:  Killed — i  Officer,  i  Private,  Wounded — 13,  Gassed — 1,  Missing — 
19."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
3:186. 

^^Also  report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry,  3:175, 
which  states  that  "About  10  pm  a  message  was  received  ordering  our  evacuation  of 
the  front  line  position,  and  retirement  to  a  line  south  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume.  .  .  .  We 
reached  our  new  position  about  2  a.m.  still  under  shell  fire." 

"Here  they  [i.e.  the  machine  guns]  remained  until  about  8:30  p.m.,  when  the  battal- 
ion commander  ordered  all  forward  companies  to  withdraw  to  the  support  line  towards 
left  of  Bois  de  Chaume,  which  was  done,  as  liaison  with  2nd  Battalion  on  right  had  been 
lost.  About  1 1  :oo  p.m.,  Oct.  9th,  were  ordered  to  withdraw  to  Consenvoye,  which 
was  done  during  the  night.  Casualties:  Killed  i,  wounded  7,  gassed  i."  Report  of 
the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:189. 

^^I7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  578-S/3,OrderNo.  4,  October  9,  1918, 
2:90. 

^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:157. 

^^Ibid.;  Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  9  and  10,  1918;  List  of  Cap- 
tures made  by  the  33rd  Division,  3:361-362. 

^"Compare  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:85. 

^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:152. 

^■^See  above,  1:352-353,  n.  57. 

*^"  Mention  must  also  be  made  of  Captain  Krigbaum,  Co  D,  i24thM.  G.  Bn.  .  .  . 
Most  of  his  machine  guns  had  been  knocked  out  and  many  of  his  men  were  casualties. 
He  volunteered  and  guided  other  machine  gunners  to  position  and  checked  over  the 
forward  line  and  made  report  on  same  and  by  his  coolness  and  energy  helped  maintain 
the  lines  against  the  enemy."  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:92-93. 

^^Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse  (66th  Brigade),  3:41. 

^^See  above,  i:iio. 

^*"  10:35  A.M.  9th  October,  1918.  .  .  he  [Commanding  Officer,  Company  B] 
received  orders  from  C.  G.  66th  Inf.  Brigade  to  report  to  C.  O.  132nd  Inf.  They 
started  at  once,  carrying  all  guns,  tripods,  ammunition,  etc.,  from  Forges  to  trenches 
south  of  Consenvoye,  via  Brabant,  arriving  there  about  4:30  p.m.  same  day.  At  7:00 
P.M.  the  C.  G.  66th  Brigade  directed  this  company  to  report  to  C.  O.  131st  Inf.  in 
trenches  north  of  Consenvoye  which  they  did,  arriving  there  at  9:30  p.m.  same  day. 
The  C.  O.  131st  Inf.  attached  the  company  to  the  ist  Battalion  of  his  regiment  and 
they  attacked  with  this  battalion  the  following  morning  at  6:05  a.m.,  this  being  the 
loth  of  October,  1918."  Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
2:558.__ 

^^"  In  the  meantime  Colonel  Davis's  command  was  obliged  to  withdraw  to  trenches 
south  of  Bois  de  Chaume  by  reason  of  lack  of  support,  the  troops  on  his  right  flank 
being  unable  to  advance.  His  troops  met  with  stubborn  resistance  harassing  fire 
from  artillery  and  gas.  The  necessity  of  their  withdrawal  was  apparent,  and  at  11:45 
P.M.,  October  9th  orders  were  issued  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to 
attack  through  his  lines  at  6:05  a.m.  loth  October  191 8,  with  the  following  units: 


354  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

1st  and  3rd  Bns,  131st  Infantry,  in  line 

3rd  Bn,  129th  Infantry,  in  support 

Co.  B,  i24tii  M  G  Bn 

Brigade  Reserve:  3rd  Bn.  130th  Inf.  less  one  company 
1st  Bn,  129th  Inf. 
2nd  Bn,  I32d  Inf. 
and  Bn,  131st  Inf. 
(To  remain  in  position  in  Cable  trenches  until  further  orders) 

Anticipating  orders,  the  attacking  battalions  were  ordered  to  cross  the  Meuse  river 
and  assemble  in  readiness  in  trenches  immediately  south  of  Consenvoye,  which  was 
accomplished  shortly  after  dark,  October  9th,  with  the  exception  of  a  battalion  of  the 
129th  Infantry  which  arrived  later  in  the  night."  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois 
de  Chaume,  3:84. 

The  1st  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  should  have  been  accompanied  by  Company  C, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  but,  owing  to  one  of  those  contretemps  which  occur  at 
times  in  war,  it  was  left  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse.  The  episode  is  thus  described 
in  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:189. 

"On  Oct.  9th  this  company  was  attached  to  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  under 
command  of  Major  Coady.  During  the  day  orders  were  received  from  Brigade  Com- 
mander that  this  company  would  be  detached  from  the  ist  Battalion  for  other  duty, 
and  the  C.  O.  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  instructed  to  so  advise  the  C.  O. 
131st  Infantry,  and  that  a  company  from  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  would  be 
substituted.  This  information  was  given  to  C.  O.  131st  Infantry  by  'phone  and  to 
*C'  Company  by  runner.  Shortly  afterwards  on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  the 
Brigade  Commander  telephoned  that  the  order  was  cancelled  and  that  Co.  C  would 
remain  attached  to  the  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry.  This  information  was  immediate- 
ly sent  by  runner  to  the  company  commander  of  Co.  C  and  given  to  the  C.  O.  131st 
Infantry  by  the  C.  O.  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  in  person.  Co.  C  prepared  to 
report  to  the  ist  Battalion  as  soon  as  notified  It  was  wanted  by  Major  Coady,  in  accord- 
ance with  former  arrangements,  but  never  received  any  orders  and  remained  in  readi- 
ness in  Forges  Wood  until  Oct.  loth,  when  it  was  notified  it  was  in  reserve.  Major 
Coady  stated  later  that  he  was  never  informed  of  the  cancellation  of  theorder  substitu- 
ting a  company  of  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  in  lieu  of  Co.  C,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  and  it  also  seems  that  neither  was  the  C.  O.  or  company  commander 
of  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalions,  hence,  when  the  ist  Battalion  moved  from 
Forges  Wood  to  cross  the  River  Meuse  on  the  night  of  Oct.  9th-ioth,  it  was  accom- 
panied by  a  company  of  the  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion." 

This  misunderstanding  is  mentioned  in  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de 
Chaume,  3:92,  which  says,  apropos  of  the  machine  gun  companies  on  the  west  bank 
of  the  Meuse: 

"  -Vhen  ordered  to  withdraw  and  rejoin  Battalions  to  whom  they  were  assigned, 
they  came  out  after  dark  and  got  mixed  up  and  one  company  of  the  124th  M  G  Bn 
which  did  not  get  into  action  at  all." 

The  orders  for  the  ist  and  2nd  Battalions,  131st  Infantry  to  cross  to  the 
Tranchee  de  Heraclee  were  issued  at  12:35,  1^=45  ^"d  2  p.m. 

"On  Oct.  9th  at  6:15  A.M.  this  Company  received  orders  to  fire  harassing  fire  on 
Sivry  and  that  vicinity  until  8:00  a.m.,  which  was  done.     About  the  middle  of  that 


NOTES  355 

afternoon  orders  were  received  to  join  the  3rd  Battalion,  1,31st  Infantry  at  once.  This 
Company  moved  immediately  to  Forges  Wood,  thence  to  the  trenches  Southeast  of 
Consenvoye,  where  it  joined  the  above  named  battalion  at  about  11:00  p.m."  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:187. 

^^"Oct.  9,  1918.  Regiment  (Minus  Third  Battalion  129th  Inf.  and  plus  Third 
Battalion  130th  Infantry)  moved  at  8:00  p.m.  to  East  side  of  Meuse  River  to  assist  in 
the  attack  of  XVII  French  Corps,  in  accordance  with  Verbal  Orders,  Commanding 
General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade  and  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  F.O.  No.  27,  33rd  Division, 
7th  October,  1918,  and  F.  O.  No.  28,  33rd  Division,  8th  Octo.  1918.  Our  Third 
Battalion  with  66th  Infantry  Brigade.  All  troops  under  Colonel  Myer,  (First,  Second 
Bn.  129th  Inf.  anil  Third  Bn.  130th  Inf.  Co.  'A'  122nd  Machine  Gun  Bn.,  and  Co's 
'A'  and  'D',  123rd  Machine  Gun  Bn.)  in  trenches  immediately  south  of  Bois  de 
Chaume.  No  casualties — Regimental  P.  C.  at  22.2 — 79.5."  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:645.  The  statement  in  respect  to  Companies  A  and  D, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  is  in  error  inasmuch  as  they  did  not  cross  to  the  east 
bank  of  the  Meuse  until  October  11.     See  1:129-130. 

^^"At  8:00  P.M.  9th  October,  1918,  the  Division  Commander  directed  that  I  report 
with  the  remaining  company  to  the  C.  G.  66th  Brigade  which  I  did  and  received  orders 
to  proceed  to  the  trenches  northeast  of  Consenvoye.  The  Company  left  the  P.  C. 
Alexander  at  9:00  p.m.  carrying  all  guns,  ammunition,  etc.,  to  Consenvoye  via  Brabant 
arriving  in  the  trenches  there  at  5:00  a.m.  morning  of  the  loth  October,  1918."  Report 
of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:558. 

^^Compare  Reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers,  ist  and  2nd  Battalions,  129th 
Infantry,  and  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:654,  657,  672-673. 

^*See  above,  1:99,  no,  in,  113. 

'^"October  9th.  .  .  Warning  Order  issued  at  13:02  hours  for  two  platoons  129th 
Infantry  to  take  over  at  once  the  line  held  by  the  131st  Infantry  from  Dannevoux  to 
Consenvoye."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:598. 
As  a  matter  of  fact  this  particular  sector  was  occupied  after  9  p.m.  that  day  by  two 
platoons  from  Company  L  (3rd  Battalion),  130th  Infantry,  under  Lieutenants  Wood 
and  Gunther.  See  Report  of  First  Lieutenant  Hamilton  L.  Wood,  130th  Infantry, 
2:696. 

^"The  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  upon  reaching  the  Bois  de  Forges  at  4  a.m. 
on  October  9,  was  directed  to  furnish  two  companies  as  carrying  parties  for  the  132nd 
Infantry.  Companies  L  and  M  were  selected,  but  the  guide  led  them  into  a  friendly 
barrage,  they  suffered  some  casualties  and  "these  two  companies  returned  about  noon 
not  being  able  to  find  anyone  who  knew  where  line  was,  and  unable  to  deliver  ammu- 
nition." At  I  P.M.  orders  were  received  to  occupy  the  Heraclee  and  Baillis  Trenches 
between  Consenvoye  and  Brabant,  but  upon  reaching  the  river  the  operations  officer 
of  the  132nd  Infantry  directed  the  battalion  to  the  Tranchee  du  Cabestan,  west  of  the 
Bois  de  Consenvoye,  which  it  occupied  during  the  night  of  October  9-10  thereby  filling 
in  the  void  between  the  132nd  Infantry  after  it  had  fallen  back  and  the  115th  Infantry 
(58th  Brigade)  on  the  right.  See  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion, 
129th  Infantry,  2:659. 

"October  9th — Left  Hill  281  for  Bois  de  Forges  woods  near  Drillancourt  arriving 
about  daylight.  Left  woods  2  p.m.  and  passed  to  the  right  of  Consenvoye  and  went 
Over  the  Top  at  5  p.m.     Withdrew  at  6:30  p.m.  and  stayed  alongside  road  until  day- 


356  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

light."     Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Machine  Gun  Company,  129th  Infantry, 
2:662. 

''^See  above,  i:iio,  116. 

^^"On  this  same  date,  9/ioth  October  the  Second  Battalion  130th  Infantry 
relieved  the  129th  Infantry  in  the  Defense  Line  in  the  Bois  de  Dannevoux,  taking  over 
the  Dannevoux  Sector  of  the  Defense  and  Outpost  Lines.  Relief  completed  at  3:15 
A.M.  [on  October  10]  ...  .  The  regiment  (less  Third  Battalion)  held  the  entire  line 
from  the  bend  in  the  Meuse  River  east  of  Dannevoux  to  the  western  edge  of  the  Bois 
de  la  Cote  Lemont."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:673. 
Mention  of  this  relief  is  made  in  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion, 
129th  Infantry. 

^^"9th  October,  191 8.  Companies  A  and  D  withdrawn  from  N.  W.  edge  of  Bois 
de  la  Cote  Lemont  and  Hill  281.  Co.  F  occupied  positions  backing  up  the  defense  of 
sector  held  by  Companies  of  2nd  Battalion  130th  Infantry.  Disposition  of  Companies 
B  and  C  unchanged.  Enemy  shelling  heavy,  Light  concentration  of  gas  in  Bois  de 
Dannevoux.  Enemy  aircraft  active  over  Bois  des  Moriaux.  Casualties:  None." 
Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:20. 

^^The  verbal  instructions  thus  given  were  subsequently  reduced  to  writing  and 
embodied  in  detailed  orders. 

^^ist  U.  S.  Army,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  578-S/3,  Order  No.  4, 
October  9,  1918,  2:91. 

^"Field  Order  No.  19,  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  October  9,  1918,  11:45  p-^-,  3:46. 

^'At  I  A.M.  the  1st  and  3rd  Battalions,  131st  Infantry,  left  the  Tranchee  de  Hera- 
clee  and  were  formed  with  the  ist  Battalion  on  the  right  and  the  2nd  on  the  left,  each 
being  provided  with  two  trench  mortars  and  one  37-millimeter  gun.  The  3rd  Battalion 
had  Companies  I  and  M  in  the  assaulting  line,  and  Companies  K — less  one  platoon — 
and  L  in  support.  "One  platoon  of  Co.  K  was  directed  to  mop  up  the  west  edge  of 
Bois  de  Chaume,  and  send  patrols  as  far  as  the  Meuse  River."  131st  Infantry  Engage- 
ment at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:86. 

"The  C.  O.  131st  Inf.  attached  the  company  to  the  1st  Battalion  of  his  regiment 
and  they  attacked  with  this  battalion  the  following  morning  at  6:05  a.m.,  this  being  the 
loth  of  October,  1918."     Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:558. 

"At  1:00  A.M.,  Oct.  loth,  this  company  moved  forward  with  the  3rd  Battalion, 
131st  Infantry  through  Consenvoye  to  the  South  edge  of  Chaume  Wood,  where  it 
formed  for  attack."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battal- 
ion, 3:187. 

The  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  which  had  spent  the  night  of  October  9  in  the 
Tranchee  du  Cabestan,  formed  the  reserve  for  the  131st. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:259; 
Reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers,  104th  and  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:264,  276; 
Operations,  106th  Field  Artillery,  3:284. 

^^Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse  (66th  Brigade),  3:42;  131st  Infantry 
Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:86. 

^®"  Enemy  machine  guns  during  the  night  of  Oct.  9-ioth  had  worked  around  to 
the  rear  of  the  positions  held  by  the  I32d  Infantry  and  3rd  Bn  1 29th  Infantry  in  form- 
ing up  received  their  fire  from  the  direction  of  Consenvoye  wood."  131st  Infantry 
Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:87. 


NOTES  357 

^"  At  6:45  A.M.  [  6:05  A.M.]  these  troops  moved  forward  through  Chaume  Wood, 
the  advance  being  rather  slow  on  account  of  the  thick  undergrowth,  the  well 
concealed  enemy  machine  guns,  and  the  lack  of  artillery  support."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:187. 

®*Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:42;  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at 
Bois  de  Chaume,  3:86. 

^^"  Upon  arriving  at  the  Northern  edge  of  Chaume  Wood,  practically  all  of  the  guns 
of  this  Company  were  able  to  deliver  very  effective  fire  upon  enemy  machine  gun 
positions  and  bodies  of  enemy  fleeing  over  the  opposite  ridge. 

"This  Company  then  moved  forward  with  the  infantry  to  the  top  of  the  opposite 
ridge  under  extremely  heavy  artillery  and  machine  gun  fire  from  the  front  and  both 
flanks,  which  resulted  in  many  casualties  and  the  loss  of  4  guns."  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:187. 

^I3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:86. 

^^Ibid.y  87;    Report  on  Operations  of  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:66o. 

^^I3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:87.  "Company  B  was 
attached  to  the  ist  Bn.  131st  Inf.  on  Oct.  loth  and  attacked  from  trenches  south  of 
Bois  de  Chaume  (22.6 — 810)  (235 — 812).  Went  forward  thru  the  Bois  de  Chaume 
and  Bois  du  Plat  Chene  taking  up  position  on  the  crest  of  the  hill  north  of  these  woods. 
(Approximately  along  the  23rd  Grid  line  from  225—829  to  229-831).  Stayed  in  this 
position  on  Oct.  10,  11,  12  and  13."  Report  of  the  Adjutant,  122nd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  2:562. 

^^At  ID  A.M.  the  commanding  officer,  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  reported  to 
his  regimental  commander:  "  1 1  Platoon  Co.  A.  i  Platoon  Co.  B.  i  Platoon  Co.  C, 
have  reached  objective.  Co.  I,  3rd  Bn.,  131  [Infantry]  on  left.  Not  in  touch  on  my 
right,  cannot  get  in  touch  with  rest  of  Bn."  Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received, 
131st  Infantry,  3:97. 

^*"One  section  moved  to  the  right  to  support  the  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry, 
and  delivered  fire  which  silenced  several  enemy  snipers  and  put  to  flight  parties  of  the 
enemy  assembling  on  the  extreme  right,  apparently  for  a  counter-attack.  During  the 
afternoon  the  remainder  of  the  company  was  organized  into  6  gun  squads  and  took 
up  position  in  the  gap  between  the  two  battalions  on  the  top  of  the  ridge."  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188. 

^^At  10:50  A.M.,  October  10,  1918,  the  commanding  officer,  3rd  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry  sent  the  following  message  to  the  regimental  commander:  "Our  troops  gained 
the  objective  but  could  not  hold  it  on  account  of  intense  shelling  and  M.  G.  fire.  Am 
trying  to  gather  troops  who  are  in  the  underbrush  and  will  establish  a  new  line  in 
Lavannes  trench.  West  of  Bois  de  Chaume.  Can  you  send  re-enforcements  to  join 
on  my  right.  Shelling  is  of  H.  E.  and  Gas."  Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received, 
131st  Infantry,  3:95. 

^^Statement  of  operations  officer,  131st  Infantry.  At  12:53  p-m.  thecommanding 
officer  of  the  3rd  Battalion  reported  the  position  to  the  regimental  commander  as 
follows:  "227-825  to  Meridian  24.  General  [Wolf]  directs  we  dig  in  on  this  line  and 
if  necessary  we  may  be  able  to  fall  on  it."  Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received, 
131st  Infantry,  3:95.  The  positions  of  the  troops  are  given  in  detail  in  the  Report  on 
Field  Operations  from  October  10,  191 8,  made  by  Major  Allen,  commanding  3rd  Bat- 
talion—  131st  Infantry,  3:115-116. 


358  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

^^Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:42;  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at 
Bois  de  Chaume,  3:86, 

®^i3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:87. 

^^Following  the  method  upon  which  such  stress  was  laid  in  the  training  of  the  33rd 
Division,  "Stokes  Mortars  of  Third  Battalion  130th  Infantry  [were]  used  by  the  Com- 
manding Officer  Third  Battalion  129th  Infantry  to  good  advantage  against  enemy 
Machine  Gun  nests."     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:645-646. 

^''''i3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:87. 

^^^"  Remained  in  that  position  that  night,  and  6:00  a.m.  Oct.  loth  advanced  in 
support  of  the  ist  and  3rd  Bn.  131st  Inf.  with  orders  to  maintain  liaison  with  the  1 15th 
Inf.  The  left  Bn.  and  part  of  the  right  Bn.  reached  the  objective,  ridge  directly  east 
of  Sivry-sur-Meuse,  but  two  Co.s  of  the  right  Bn.  were  held  up  by  machine  gun  fire. 
About  1 2:00  o'clock  I  took  two  of  my  Co.s  with  assistance  of  i  L.T.M.  flanked  the 
machine  guns,  and  with  further  assistance  of  our  own  artillery  which  was  falling  short 
I  advanced  and  gained  the  objective,  arriving  about  2:00  p.m.  The  two  Co.s  131st  I 
passed  through  were  to  follow  in  support,  but  did  not  and  I  arrived  on  the  objective 
with  only  my  two  Co.s.  L  Co.  and  the  4  machine  guns  maintained  contact  with  115th 
Inf.  which  did  not  advance.  I  afterwards  used  them  for  liaison  between  my  right 
flank  and  the  left  of  115th  in  line  right;  4  p.m.  Capt.  Burgheim  CO.  ist  Bn.  129th  Inf. 
with  Hqs.  and  Co.  A,  122  Machine  Gun  Bn.  10  guns  attached  arrived.  They  were  all 
put  in  the  line. 

"8:00  A.M.  Oct.  nth  combination  Co.  A-C-D  arrived  and  were  put  in  line  on 
right  of  B  Co."     Report  on  Operations  of  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:660. 

^''^Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  Report  of  Operations, 
October  9  to  14,  191 8,  and  his  appendix  to  this  report.     See  2:695,  697. 

^"^The  outposts  and  machine  guns  of  this  battalion  remained  on  the  northern 
edge  of  the  Bois  de  Chaume  to  cover  the  position. 

^''^I3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:88. 

^*'^" Objective  has  been  reached  three  times.  Troops  on  right  have  been  forced 
to  fall  back  to  prevent  enflanking  movement.  Line  now  holds  thinly  in  spots.  Troops 
have  had  no  water  or  food  since  yesterday  evening  and  are  exhausted,  but  holding 
good."  Operations  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Adjutant,  66th  Brigade.  Message 
received  at  3:50  p.m.     Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry,  3:98. 

^^^i3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:85-88;  Report  of  Operations 
3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:696;  Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  2:558. 

^"^Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:43;  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
129th  Infantry,  2:645. 

^°^"At  noon  of  the  same  day  the  Bn.  supported  by  Co.  *A,'  122nd  M.  G.  Bn. 
advanced  in  a  north-easterly  direction  thru  the  Bois  de  Chaume.  On  the  night  of 
Oct.  lothCo. 'B,'  129th  Inf.  occupied  a  front  line  position  on  the  right  of  Co. 'I,'  129th 
Inf.  Co's.  A,  C  and  D  (consolidated  company)  remained  just  inside  the  northern  edge 
of  the  Bois  de  Chaume."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry,  2:654. 

"At  5:30  A.M.  same  day  [loth  October]  I  reported  to  C.  O.  129th  Inf.  and  at  11:30 
A.M.  he  ordered  this  company  (Co.  'A')  forward  with  the  ist  Battalion  of  his  regiment 


NOTES  359 

and  they  arrived  on  the  advanced  line  which  was  3  kilometers  in  advance  of  the 
line  in  the  morning,  between  4:00  and  4:30  p.m. 

"The  advance  was  made  through  heavy  shell  and  machine  gun  fire  which  increased 
in  intensity  as  the  company  moved  through  the  Bois-de-Chaume  and  the  Bois-du-Plat 
Chene."     Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:558. 

'"'Compare  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:598. 

'^"Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:152;  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:187. 

'"Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:646;  Operations  Second 
Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:657;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  3:187. 

ii2<<'phg  troops  from  6  a.m.,  October  loth  to  the  night  of  October  I4th-i5  were 
subjected  to  shell  fire,  machine  gun  fire,  gas,  aeroplane  attacks  and  fire  from  snipers 
incessantly  in  some  parts  of  the  line.  Very  few  were  able  to  obtain  any  needed  rest 
or  sleep.  To  add  to  their  discomfort  it  rained  nearly  every  day,  frequently  food  could 
not  be  transported  to  parts  of  the  line,  sometimes   it   was  spoiled   by  mustard  gas, 

low  areas  in  the  woods  compelled  men  to  wear  gas  masks  nearly  all  the  time 

The  men  themselves  hung  on  without  complaint,  without  a  thought  of  giving  an  inch 
unless  ordered  to  do  so."     131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:93. 

"3/^/W.  3:88. 

^'^When  the  ist  and  3rd  Battalions,  131st  Infantry,  reached  the  top  of  the  ridge 
overlooking  the  second  exploitation  objective,  the  gap  between  them  was  filled  by 
troops  from  one  of  the  companies  of  the  Brigade  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  as  has  been 
seen  (see  above,  i  :357,  n.  94).  "These  positions  were  maintained,  even  though  the  3rd 
Battalion  withdrew  to  the  foot  of  the  ridge  to  better  protect  that  open  flank."  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188. 
This  was  characteristic  of  the  machine  gun  units  of  the  33rd  Division — always  out  in 
front,  always  doing  something  unexpected  to  take  the  enemy  by  surprise. 

''^Compare  Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:43. 

''"See  appendixes  31  and  32. 

"''"Co.  C — Oct.  9  to  15  in  brigade  reserve  in  Forges  Wood."  Supplemental 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,   124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:200. 

"^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:152  ff. 

^^"October  loth.  Entire  command  of  the  129th  Infantry  located  and  disposed 
on  the  east  bank  of  the  River  Meuse  under  the  command  of  the  Commanding  General, 
66th  Infantry  Brigade  at  18:00  hours.  Third  Bn.,  129th  Infantry,  took  part  in  the 
advance  made  by  the  66th  Brigade  the  morning  of  this  date,  reached  their  objective, 
and  were  then  combined  with  the  ist  Bn.,  129th  Infantry."  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:598. 

'^"Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:673. 

'^'"loth  October,  1918.  Orders  received  from  P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade  at 
1:30  P.M.  directing  that  Companies  A  and  D,  123  M.  G.  Bn.  report  to  Commanding 
General  66th  Infantry  Brigade  on  east  side  of  River  Meuse  in  vicinity  of  Consenvoye. 
Co.  B  passed  to  command  of  Commanding  Officer  130th  Infantry  from  Commanding 
Officer  129th  Infantry.  Their  disposition  unchanged.  One  platoon  of  Co.  C,  123 
M.  G.  Bn.  withdrawn  from  outpost  line  to  main  line  of  resistance  during  the  night  of 
lo-iith  October,  1918.     In  new  position  before  daylight.     Our  operations  nil.     Light 


360  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

enemy  shelling  in  Bois  de  Dannevoux,  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  and  Bois  des  Moriaux. 
Slight  activity  of  enemy  aircraft.  Casualties:  None."  Operations  of  123d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  3:20. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:259. 
^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:264;     Report  of 
Operations  of  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:276;  Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:284. 
^^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  10  and  11,  191 8. 
^^I7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  586-S/3,  Order  No.  5,  October  10, 
1918,  2:91. 

^^Ht  will  be  observed  that  the  front  of  the  17th  Army  Corps,  upon  reaching  the 
right  or  eastern  extremity  of  the  33rd  Division,  turned  straight  south  along  Meridian 
24  to  Hill  371.  It  is  just  south  of  this  hill  that  the  Tranchee  du  Cable,  which  ran 
through  the  open  valley  between  the  Bois  de  Consenvoye  and  the  Bois  de  Chaume, 
terminated  in  the  woods  on  the  east.  The  jumping-off  line  from  which  the  attack  of 
the  66th  Brigade  was  launched  at  6:05  that  morning  lay  immediately  south  of  this 
trench.  Assuming  that  Hill  371  was  occupied  that  evening  by  the  58th  Brigade,  it 
nevertheless  meant  that  the  left  of  the  29th  American  Division  was  fully  two  kilo- 
meters in  the  rear  of  the  right  flank  of  the  front  line  of  the  33rd  Division  east  of  the 
Magenta  Ferme. 
i27See  2:284. 
^^^"  Journal  of  Operations — 6  a.m.  loth  Oct.  to  6  a.m.  nth  Oct. 

Rendered  usual  situation  and  operation  reports  to  G.  H.  Q.  and  Corps. 
Issued  Training  Circular  No.   182,  quoting  patrol  of  ist  Lieut.   Clyde 
Brown,  130th  Inf.,  inviting  attention  to  same  as  being  an  example  of  a 
good  report. 
Issued  Field  Order  No.  29,  directing  the  troops  of  the  Division  east  of  the 
Meuse  to  hold  the  sector  gained  by  it,  and  to  insure  the  possession  of  Bois 
de  Chaume  and  Bois  Plat-Chene.     Designated  Main  Line  of  Resistance 
and  Outpost  Zone  for  Right  Sector  (east  of  the  Meuse).     Bridge  com- 
pleted for  animal  traffic  across  Meuse  River,  at  Consenvoye.     Mission 
of  Left  Sector  (west  of  the  Meuse)  unchanged."     Journal  of  Operations, 
33rd  Division,  2:470. 
^^'"iith  October — 106  rounds  interdiction  fire  on  Haraumont — 75  rounds  haras- 
sing fire  on  24.7-84.0  and  25.0-84.0.    180  rounds  harassing  on  Area  20.8-83.1."    Oper- 
ations, io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:284. 

^^°" October  nth. 
9:00     Ordered  Commanding  Officer,  io6th  Field  Artillery  to  fire  on  Sivry-sur-Meuse 

at  request  of  Commanding  General,  66th  Infantry  Brigade. 
10:00     Ordered  Artillery  Detachment  Commander  to  move   ist  Battalion,    104th 

Field  Artillery  to  vicinity  of  Consenvoye  during  night. 
13:30     Requested  Corps  Artillery  to  fire  on  Battery  [at]  H  47.60. 
22:00     Requested  Corps  Artillery  to  fire  on  Batteries  near  Haraumont. 
22:35     Requested  Corps  Artillery  to  fire  on  enemy  Batteries  and  Machine  Guns  in 
area  Bois  du  Plat-Chene."     Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field 
Artillery  Brigade,  3:260. 
^'^Also  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:264. 


NOTES  361 

^'^ijist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  .3:89. 
*^'A1so  Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:43. 

^'*" October  nth  .  .  .  Third  Battalion,  129th  Infantry  and  ist  Bn.  129th  Infantry, 
combined,  spent  the  day  digging  in  and  protecting  their  new  positions."  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:598. 

"Oct.  II,  1918.  The  First  and  Third  Battalions  spent  the  day  in  improving 
positions;  Second  Battalion  in  trenches  North  of  Consenvoye,  to  a  point  (22.4-79.4) 
East  of  Consenvoye.  Enemy  shell  fire  and  Machine  Gun  fire  very  heavy.  Casualties 
two  (2)  officers  killed,  three  (3)  officers  wounded,  seventy-eight  (78)  men  wounded  and 
killed."     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:646. 

"8:00  A.M.  Oct.  nth  combination  Co.  A-C-D  arrived  and  were  put  in  line  on 
right  of  B  Co.  At  1:00  p.m.  Co.  L  129th  Inf.  arrived  and  was  held  in  support  in  left 
rear  of  Bn."  Narrative  of  Operations  of  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:661.  See 
also  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:654. 

"On  the  morning  of  the  nth  October,  I  re-organized  my  position  in  the  line  and 
caused  all  scattering  detachments  to  be  brought  forward  to  rejoin  their  commands  and 
moved  my  Hdqtrs.  to  this  same  position."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd 
Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:695. 

^'^"The  enemy  launched  a  counter-attack  on  the  afternoon  of  the  nth,  when  all 
the  guns  of  this  Company  did  very  effective  work  and  stopped  it  quickly.  The  ist 
Battalion  [131st  Infantry]  withdrew  further  down  the  slope  of  this  ridge  that  night, 
and  the  3rd  Battalion  took  up  positions  in  rear  of  guns  positions  of  this  Company." 
Reportof  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188. 
"These  companies  remained  in  the  outpost  line  despite  the  heavy  gas  concentra- 
tions, shelling  and  machine  gun  fire  until  withdrawn  together  with  the  Infantry  on  the 
night  i3/i4th  October."  Report  of  Operations,  i22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:558. 
Company  A  was  attached  to  the  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  and  Company  B  to  the 
1st  Battalion,  131st  Infantry. 

^^^AU  these  measures  had,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  been  prescribed  in  Field  Order 
No.  29,  33rd  Division,  issued  at  2  p.m.  the  day  before.  See  2:284.  For  some  unknown 
reason  these  Field  Orders  did  not  reach  the  commanding  officer  of  the  131st  Infantry 
until  nearly  forty-eight  hours  later. 

^^^The  message  sent  by  Lieutenant  Moore».  liaison  officer  of  the  115th  Infantry  to 
the  commanding  officer  of  that  regiment,  dated  October  11,  1918,  11:25  a.m.  ran  thus: 
"Request  present  location  your  extreme  left  and  progress  being  made.  Right 
flank  131st  being  flanked  by  M.  G.  fire  which  is  apparently  from  115  [Infantry's]  left 
flank.  Report  of  131st  activities  follows  as  soon  as  director  of  Regt.  operations  com- 
pleted the  consolidation  of  his  line."  Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st 
Infantry,  3:99. 

^^^Also  Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:43. 

^^^" October  nth  it  was  reported  that  Sivry-sur-Meuse  was  full  of  machine  guns 
and  enemy  concentrated  there.  Prior  to  this  date  all  efforts  to  have  our  artillery 
direct  their  fire  on  this  town  were  unavailing  until  above  reports  were  repeated. 
Heavy  fire  concentrated  on  the  town  finally  cleared  it  of  troops."  131st  Infantry 
Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:91. 

^^''Reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers,  132nd  Infantry  and  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion.    The  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  which  had  been  attached  to  the  132nd 


362  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Infantry  for  the  operations  of  October  8  and  9,  reverted  to  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  131st  Infantry  on  October  11  at  11:30  am. 

^^^ Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:646;  Operations,  Second 
Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:657;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  3:189. 

^*^Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion.     See  below,  n.  I46. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:189. 

^'*^"  During  the  night  October  loth-iith  the  two  support  companies  were  ordered 
to  the  front  position  to  continue  the  attack.  The  remaining  two  companies  of  this 
battalion  were  assigned  the  task  of  protecting  the  right  flank.  The  battalion  carried 
the  attack  to  a  successful  termination  including  its  objective,  the  north  edge  of  Bois 
de  Foret  on  scheduled  time. 

"A  trench  mortar  section,  a  37  mm  section  and  the  machine  gun  company  of  the 
regiment  assisted  the  battalion  in  holding  the  line  and  making  its  advance. 
The  battalion  advanced  the  line  for  two  kilometers. 

"Captured  material  was  accounted  for  by  the  units  to  which  the  battalion  was 
attached. 

"Approximately  450  prisoners  were  sent  back  to  the  Division  Cage. 

"Our  Casualties  were:  i  officer,  and  37  men  killed,  and  11  officers  and  315  men 
wounded. 

"The  following  enemy  units  were  engaged.  212  R.  I.  R."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:152. 

^^^See  2:448  {f. 

^^^"  nth  October,  191 8:  Companies  A  and  D  having  reported  to  the  Commanding 
General  66th  Infantry  Brigade  were  put  under  command  of  the  Commanding  Officer 
129th  Infantry  for  tactical  purposes.  Went  into  line  in  Bois  de  Chaume  with  that 
organization,  relieving  units  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade.  Disposition  of  Co.  B 
unchanged.  Remainder  of  Co.  C  withdrawn  to  main  line  of  resistance  night  of  ii-i2th 
October,  191 8.  In  position  by  daylight.  Shelling  by  enemy  light  throughout  the 
day.  Casualties:  Killed,  I  Wounded,  slight  8."  Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:20. 

^^^ist  U.  S.  A.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  588-S/3,  Order  No.  6, 
dated  October  11,  1918,  2:93. 

^^^Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry,  3:99. 

^^^Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:43;  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at 
Bois  de  Chaume,  3:89-90. 

^^""The  Regt.  on  our  right  was  held  up  last  night  and  we  were  therefore  unable 
to  advance.  We  are  ordered  to  hold  our  present  position  and  prepare  it  defensively 
against  counter  attacks.  Our  left  rests  at  point  240-822  and  we  understand  you  have 
refused  your  right  to  meet  us  at  this  point.  Conditions  along  our  front  last  night  and 
this  morning  quiet.  The  firing  of  your  artillery  does  not  interfere  with  us  in  any  way." 
Commanding  Officer,  115th  Infantry,  to  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  received 
October  12,  1918,  at  7:30  a.m.,  3:100. 

"Your  note  received.  Our  line  extending  from  approximately  240-817  to  247-818 
at  which  point  we  connect  with  ist  Bn.  115th  Inf.  Our  advance  has  been  delayed  by 
failure  of  ii6th  Inf.  on  our  right  to  advance.  When  we  will  start  do  not  know,  but  it 
appears  we  are  held  up  for  the  present.     You  will  be  informed.  .  .  ."    Commanding 


NOTES  363 

Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  115th  Infantry  to  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  received  at  9  a.m.,  3:100. 

"225-787 — No  change  in  line  today,  sketch  herewith  shows  present  disposition. 
No  Infantry  activity  today.  Enemy  artillery  fairly  active,  paying  special  attention 
to  Regt.  P.  C.  114th  and  115th  attacked  today,  but  results  are  not  yet  known  to  us, 
although  some  ground  was  gained."  Commanding  Officer,  115th  Infantry,  to  Com- 
manding Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  received  at  9  a.m.  Record  of  Messages 
Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry,  3:100. 

151"  Next  morning  the  guns  were  moved  back  to  this  line  [i.e.  that  of  the  3rd  Battal- 
ion,  131st  Infantry]  and  placed  so  as  to  cover  the  front  to  the  best  advantage.  After 
dark  on  the  12th,  Lieut.  White  moved  2  guns  over  to  support  Co.  M,  131st  Infantry,  in 
front  of  Sivry."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  1 24th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:188. 

^*^"  Intense  shelling  since  midnight  amounting  to  a  barrage."  Commanding 
Officer,  Company  L,  to  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  October  12, 19 18, received 
at  3:55  A.M. 

".  .  .  .  Intense  barrage  bombardment.  ..."  Operations  Officer  to  Command- 
ing Officer,  131st  Infantry,  October  12,  received  4:20  a.m. 

"Spec.  Sit.  Report.  Heavy  shelling  throughout  the  day.  Heavy  M.  G.  Fire 
from  right.  Hostile  planes  flying  over  our  lines  all  day  dropping  signal  lights.  .  ." 
Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  to  regimental  commander,  October 
12,  received  at  6  p.m. 

"Situation  now  quiet.  Request  that  artillery  continue  harassing  fire  on  our 
front  and  flanks.  Line  now  240-843  to  230-837.  Counter  attack  driven  off  left 
flank  by  2.15  p.m.  No  prisoners  captured."  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion  to 
Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  October  12,  received  at  7:05  p.m.  Record  of 
Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry,  3:96. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade;  Reports  ot 
the  Commanding  Officers,  104th  and  105th  Field  Artillery;  Operations,  io6th  Field 
Artillery.  The  commanding  officer  of  the  104th  Field  Artillery  says,  apropos  of  his 
1st  Battalion,  that  "The  rationing  and  supplying  of  Major  Austin's  command  near 
Consenvoye  was  made  difficult  by  the  almost  constant  bombardment  of  the  Consen- 
voye  bridge  and  the  roads  both  north  and  south  of  Forges  Woods  were  subjected  to 
harassing  fire.  There  were  occasional  bursts  of  fire  at  high  speed,  delivered  by  the 
enemy  but  most  of  the  hostile  fire  seemed  to  be  with  one  or  two  guns  and  at  more  or 
less  regulated  intervals.  Gas  was  used  by  the  enemy  against  Forges  woods  and  against 
the  Infantry  and  Artillery  positions  at  the  right  side  of  the  river."     See  3:270. 

^^^Field  Order  No.  38,  P.  C.  Pliable  [code  word  for  131st  Infantry],  October  12, 
1918,  3:102. 

155"Q^,(._  j2^  jgjg^  Location  of  Third  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  between  coordi- 
nates 23-24  on  Abs[c]issa  820.  First  Battalion,  129th  Inf.  locates  between  coordinates 
24-24  on  Abs[c]issa  810,  extending  to  left  of  29th  American  Division  on  our  right. 
Second  Battalion  ordered  to  relieve  First  and  Third  Battalions  in  front  line,  they  in 
turn  to  take  position  in  Reserve  trenches  North  of  Consenvoye.  Operation  Order 
No.  25,  129th  Infantry,  131st  Infantry  relieved.  Third  Battalion  130th  Infantry 
taking  over  their  position.  Extremely  heavy  shell  fire.  Casualties— forty-six  (46) 
men  killed  and  wounded.     129th  Infantry  Transport  moved  from  Hill  281  to  point 


364  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

midway  between  Brabant  and  Consenvoye  on  West  side  of  road."     Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:646. 

"Oct.  I  i-i4th.  In  Brigade  support  on  East  bank  of  the  Meuse  south  of  Consen- 
voye."    Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:157. 

^^^Major  Allen's  Report  on  Field  Operations  from  loth  Oct.,  1918.  Colonel 
Sanborn  states  (131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:90)  that 
"conditions  during  that  night  made  the  movement  impossible.  It  was  therefore 
deferred  until  the  following  night." 

157"  ^gjj  digging  new  trenches  and  latrines,  approximately  900  yards  trenches  dug 
1  ft.  wide  and  from  3  to  4  feet  deep."  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  to  Com- 
manding Officer,  131st  Infantry,  October  12,  received  at  7:20  p.m.  Record  of  Messages 
Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry,  3:96. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,i24th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188. 

^^^"i2th  October,  191 8.  Disposition  of  companies  unchanged.  Co.  C  carried 
on  work  improving  gun  emplacements  in  main  line  of  resistance  and  improvements  on 
shelters  for  men.  Light  shelling  by  enemy.  Light  concentration  of  gas  in  Bois  de 
Dannevoux.  Casualties:  None.  Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:20. 
Compare  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:598. 

^^''ist  U.  S.  A.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  595-S/3,  Order  No.  7, 
dated  October  12,  1918,  2:94. 

'^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  13  and  14,  191 8. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:260;  also 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:264. 

^®^"i3th  October.  Regimental  F.  O.  #  6  issued,  based  on  F.  O.  8,  52nd  F.  A. 
Brigade.  Mission  to  assist  by  artillery  preparation  in  the  attack  of  the  29th  Division 
in  the  sector  east  of  the  24th  meridian.  Operation  to  commence  at  5:30  a.m.,  14th 
October.  At  6:10  p.m.  Field  Message  #  11,  52nd  F.  A.  Brigade,  ordered  the  post- 
ponement of  the  attack  24  hours  and  changed  the  mission  of  the  2nd  Battalion  to  the 
execution  of  fire  on  Sivry-sur-Meuse  to  cover  the  construction  of  emplacements  of  the 
io2d  Trench  Mortar  Battery  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Meuse."  Report  of  Operations 
of  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:277. 

"  13th  October — 408  rounds  harassing  on  20.8-83.  i-350  rounds  on  Sivry.  Hdqrs. 
2nd  Bn.  3rd  Bn.  and  Batteries  C,  D  and  E  moved  to  following  positions  at  23H00, 
arriving  6  Hoc,  14th  October.  2nd  Battalion  P.  C.  18. 1-79.4.  3rd  Battalion  P.  C. 
18. 1-79.0.  Battery  'C  ^  i  Gun  18.0-79.5.  Battery  'D'  ^  i  Gun  18.0-79.5. 
Battery  'E'  #  i  Gun  17.7-79.3."     Operations,  io6th   Field  Artillery,  3:284. 

^^^Report  of  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:696;  Report 
of  Operations,  i22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:558;  Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry 
Brigade,  3:43. 

^^^ Addendum  No.  i  to  Field  Order  No.  29,  2:286,  The  location  of  this  line  was 
the  subject  of  several  conversations  between  the  division  and  brigade  commanders  by 
telephone.  As  a  matter  of  fact  warning  had  been  given  by  the  Division  Commander 
verbally  as  to  the  necessity  of  eliminating  any  dangerous  salient  long  before  it  was 
embodied  in  the  written  Addendum  No.  i. 

^^^Major  Allen's  Report  on  Field  Operations,  3:116. 


NOTES  365 

^®^See  above,  1:129  and  133. 

^^Field  Order  No.  39,  P.  C.  Pliable  [i.e.,  131st  Infantry],  October  13,  1918,  3:113. 

^®®As  a  matter  of  fact,  no  mention  of  the  ist  and  3rd  Battalions,  129th  Infantry, 
was  made  in  Field  Order  No.  39,131st  Infantry,although  they  were  included  in  the  reserve 
in  the  account  given  by  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:85. 

^^''i3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:90;  Major  Allen's  Report  on 
Field  Operations,  3:116. 

"On  the  night  of  Oct.  13th  the  ist  Bn.  withdrew  under  orders  to  trenches  at 
starting  point  N.  E.  of  Consenvoye."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Bat- 
talion, 129th  Infantry,  2:654. 

"Continued  to  hold  this  line  until  6:00  p.m.  Oct.  13th  when  Bn.  was  withdrawn  by 
order  of  Major  Allen  131st  Inf.,  and  took  up  new  position  in  trenches  N.  E.  of  Consen- 
voye."    Narrative  of  Operations  of  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:66i. 

"The  Battalion  moved  forward  the  night  of  October  13th  and  entered  Bois  de 
Chaume  where  the  troops  established  a  line."  Second  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, 
Operations,  2:657. 

"Oct.  13,  1918. ..  Second  Battalion  129th  Infantry  completed  relief  of  First  and 
Third  Battalions,  129th  Infantry  at  1  :oo  a.m.  [October  14].  First  and  Third  Battalions 
in  position  in  trenches  North  of  Consenvoye  [after  the  relief].  Casualties,  two  (2) 
men  wounded."     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:646. 

"During  the  night  of  Oct.  I3th-i4th,  the  131st  Infantry  and  the  machine  gun 
companies  attached  thereto  received  orders  to  withdraw  to  Consenvoye,  certain 
battalions  of  the  65th  Brigade  moving  in  during  the  same  night  to  take  their  positions. 

"The  casualties  during  this  action  in  this  Company  were:  2  killed  and  26  wounded 
or  gassed  (Capt.  Irwin  and  ist  Lieut.  Fishburne  evacuated  on  morning  of  Oct.  10th  are 
included  in  this  total)."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188. 

"These  companies  .  .  .  [were]  withdrawn  together  with  the  Infantry  on  the 
night  i3/i4th  October,  spending  the  balance  of  the  night  and  the  following  day  at 
Consenvoye."     Report  of  Operations,  I22d   Machine   Gun   Battalion,  2:558. 

"Disposition  of  companies  unchanged  during  the  day."  Operations  of  123d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:20.   Companies  A  and  D  were  attached  to  129th  Infantry. 

"October  12th  and  13th,  holding  these  positions"  [i.e.  "along  side  of  road  leading 
into  Consenvoye"].     Narrative  of  Machine  Gun  Company,  129th  Infantry,  2:663. 

^^^I3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:91;  Major  Allen's  Report  on 
Field  Operations,  3:116;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:157;  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:189;  Report  of 
the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:270.  Company  A,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  was  relieved  that  night  and  took  position  "in  reserve  in  trenches  south 
of  Consenvoye"  according  to  the  Supplemental  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:199. 

'  '*i3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:91. 
^A  numberof  the  prisoners  captured  on  October  10,  officers  as  well  as  men,  stated 
that  had  the  American  advance  been  pushed  that  day  it  could  have  broken  through 


366  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Kriemhild  Stellung,  as  the  Austrians  were  completely  demoralized  by  the  vigor  of  the 
attack. 

^^^Situation  Reports,  33rd  Division. 

^^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  13  and  14,  191 8. 

^^^"October  13th  .  .  .  Two  platoons  of  the  2nd  Bn.,  130th  Infantry,  sent  to  hold 
the  Dannevoux-Consenvoye  Line,  the  remainder  of  the  battalion  holding  the  Woods 
and  Dannevoux  Subsectors.  Patrols  sent  out  at  night  along  the  entire  front  line." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:599.  The  sector 
between  Dannevoux  and  the  road  to  Consenvoye  had  been  occupied  on  the  night  of 
October  9-10  by  two  platoons  from  the  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry  (see  i  :358,  n.  83) 
which  remained  there  eight  days. 

^^^"i3th  October,  1918.  Dispositions  of  companies  unchanged  during  the  day. 
Co.  C  withdrawn  from  positions  in  main  line  of  resistance  and  ordered  to  proceed  to 
east  side  of  River  Meuse  in  vicinity  of  Consenvoye.  Move  made  night  of  I3-I4th 
October,  191 8.  Arrived  at  destination  by  daylight.  Went  into  bivouac  in  trenches 
one-half  kilo,  south  of  Consenvoye  just  off  Consenvoye-Brabant  Road."  Operations 
of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:20. 

i^f^See  2:286. 

^^^Compare  Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  from  6  a.m.,  October  13,  to 
6  A.M.,  October  14,  1918,  2:471. 

^^^-Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  14  and  15,  191 8;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:646. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^*"i4th  October,  1918:  Disposition  of  companies  unchanged.  Battalion  P.  C. 
moved  from  Hill  28 1  to  east  side  of  River  Meuse  just  south  of  Consenvoye  on  Consen- 
voye-Brabant Road.  Light  enemy  shelling.  Casualties:  None."  Operations  of 
123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:21. 

I85'"j'j^g  Battalion  moved  forward  the  night  of  October  13th and  entered  Boisde 
Chaume  where  the  troops  established  a  line.  They  were  engaged  in  improving  their 
positions  until  the  15th  of  October,  In  this  woods  the  weather  continued  damp  and 
cold,  a  continual  fog  hanging  in  the  woods,  and  rain  falling  often.  The  enemy  used 
all  calibres  in  strafing  the  woods,  and  swept  from  one  end  to  the  other  with  his  batteries 
night  and  day.  Gas  was  used  extensively  in  his  bombardments  and  the  troops  had  to 
be  constantly  on  the  alert."     Second  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,Operations,  2:657. 

^^^Major  Allen's  Report  on  Field  Operations,  3:116. 

^^^Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:20. 

^^^"October  14th — ^Tookover  reserve  trench  positions,  occupying  these  positions 
for  about  one  hour,  when  ordered  to  take  up  out-post  positions  relieving  130th  Infan- 
try."    Narrative  of  Machine  Gun  Company,  129th  Infantry,  2:663. 

^^^In  conformity  with  Confidential  Field  Orders  No.  38,131st  Infantry,  October  1 2, 
1918,3:102. 

^^"Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:646;  Major  Allen's  Report 
on  Field  Operations,  3:116.  "Complying  with  F.  O.  40,  131  Inf.,  14  Oct/18, 
2nd  Bn.  131  Inf.  reports  all  O.  K.  except  P.  C.  2nd  Bn.  and  M.  G.  not  gone.  Heavy 
shelling  will  prevent  them  moving  for  a  while  from  position  South  of  Bois  de  Chaume." 
This  message  was  received  at  the  P.  C.  131st  Infantry,  at  7  p.m.  October  14,  1918,  but 
at  7:30  P.M.  came  a  message  from  Major  Allen  saying,  "Relief  complete."  -  Record  of 


NOTES  367 

Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry.     Field  Order  No.  40,  131st  Infantry,  will 
be  found  in  3:112. 

^^^"  Moved  into  trenches  N.  E.  of  Consenvoye  ....  Oct.  14th  we  relieved  the 
2nd  Battalion  of  the  131st  Inf.  in  support  trenches  near  South  edge  of  Bois  de  Chaume 
and  Bois  du  Plat  Chene."  Narrative  of  Operations  of  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, 
2:661, 

''^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:654. 
^^'i3ist  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:91. 

^^■^Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:558;  Reports  of  the 
Commanding  Officers  of  the  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:188,  189,  190;  132nd 
Infantry,  3:175,  and  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:270. 

'^^"  14th  October — 80  rounds  adjustment  fire  9H30  to  14H00.  1090  rounds 
accompanying  fire  from  7H20  to  8H00  on  24.2-822.8,  24.6-82.9,  24.2-83.3,  24.4-83.8. 
Operations  Order  No.  15,  Hdqrs.  io6th  F.  A."  Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery, 
3:284. 

^'^"October  14th. 
15:30    Ordered  Commanding  Officer,  105th  Field  Artillery  to  fire  on  H  45.40. 
15:30     Ordered  Commanding  Officer,  105th  Field  Artillery  to  fire  on  Batteries  at 

G  79.58,  G  79.65,  G  80.70,  and  G  83.70. 
16:00    Received  orders  from  33rd  Division,  notifying  of  attack  by  29th  Division  for 
reduction  of  the  center  of  resistance  in  Bois  de  la  Grande  Montagne  and   the 
salient  les  Rapps. 
16:20  Ordered  Comdg.  Officer,  104th  Field  Arty,  to  move  2nd  Battalion  to  vicinity  of 

Bois  Jure  on  following  night  (October  1^/16,  191 8). 
16:33     2nd  Battalion,  105th  Field  Arty,  ordered  to  neutralize  fire  from   Villeneuve 
Fme.  and  one  battery  105th  Field  Arty,  to  cover  construction   of  emplace- 
ments by  the  102nd  Trench  Mortar  Battery  on  Dannevoux  Ridge. 
18:45     Notified  that  attack  by  29th  Division  would  be  at  8  hrs.;  informed  the  Artillery 

Detachment  Commander. 
20:20    Received  request  from  Commanding  General,  158th  Field  Artillery  Brigade 
for  fire  on   Magenta   Fme.     Notified   Artillery   Detachment   Commander." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:260. 
^^^Field  Order  No.  20,  P.  C.  Platte  [code  word  for  66th  Infantry  Brigade],  October 
14,  1918,  10:30  A.M.,  3:47. 

^^^Major  Allen's  Report  on  Field  Operations,  3:115;  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:646.  This  relief  was  effiscted  pursuant  to  Field  Order  No. 
40,  P.  C.  Pliable,  October  14,  1918,  3  p.m.,  and  in  conformity  therewith  the  2nd  Battal- 
ion, 131st  Infantry,  withdrew  to  the  "trenches  extending  from  Foot  Bridge  south  of 
Consenvoye  over  Meuse  River  and  East."  At  7  p.m.  the  following  message  in  conne  c- 
tion  with  this  relief  reached  the  P.  C.  131st  Infantry:  "Complying  with  F.  O.  40 
131  Inf  14  Oct/18  2nd  Bn  131  Inf  reports  all  O  K  except  P.  C.  2nd  Bn  and  M  G  not 
gone.  Heavy  shelling  will  prevent  them  moving  for  a  while  from  position  South  of 
Bois  de  Chaume."  At  7:30  p.m.  came  a  message  from  Major  Allen  announcing 
"Relief  completed."  Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry,  3:106. 
^^''"On  night  of  October  I4th-i5th  this  Regiment  moved  to  the  west  of  the  River 
Meuse  as  per  field  order  No.  29,  33rd  Division,  and  relieved  the  65th  Brigade  in  the 
Dannevoux   Sector."     Report  of  the  Commanding   Officer,    132nd   Infantry,   3:157. 


368  THE  33 RD  DIVISIONS 

The  1st  and  2nd  Battalions  were  joined  by  the  3rd  Battalion  from  Hill  281,  and  the 
relief  was  effected  by  the  entire  regiment. 

"Co.  D — Oct.  14-1  ^  moved  from  Consenvoye  with  ist  Bn.,  132nd  Inf.  and  relieved 
units  of  65th  Brigade  in  Dannevoux  Wood  and  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont."  Special 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:200. 

^''"Pursuant  to  Field  Orders  No.  6,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  October  14,  191 8, 
2:613;    also  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:673. 

^"^Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry,  3:115.  In  his  Report 
on  Field  Operations,  Major  Allen  gives  the  hour  of  his  relief  from  command  as  9  p.m. 

"Oct.  14,  1918.  Commandof  Sector  passed  to  Colonel  Edgar  A.  Myer,Command- 
ing  129th  Infantry.  Second  Battalion,  131st  Infantry  relieved  in  support  line  trenches 
by  Third  Battalion,  129th  Infantry.  First  and  Second  Battalions,  130th  Infantry 
moved  from  West  Bank  of  Meuse  River  to  trenches  South  of  Consenvoye.  All  units 
of  66th  Infantry  Brigade  withdrawing  to  West  side  of  Meuse  River,  per  F.  O.  No.  29, 
Headquarters  33rd  Division,  13th  October,  191 8  .  .  .  and  Operations  Order  No. 
27,28,  Hdqrs.  129th  Inf.,  14th  Oct.,  1918.  Continued  enemy  artillery  and  Machine 
Gun  fire.  Casualties — seven  (7)  men  wounded."  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
129th  Infantry,  2:646. 

^"^Orders  No.  i,  P.  C.  Platte  [code  word  for  66th  Brigade],  October  14,  1918, 
3:49.  These  orders  were  based  upon  a  Memorandum  issued  by  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd 
Division,  October  14,  1918,  at  4  p.m. 

^'''Operation  Order  No.  28,  P.  C.  Pinetree  [code  word  for  129th  Infantry],  October 
14,  1918,  2:666. 

^"^Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:43-44. 

^''^See  also  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume  (3:92),  in  which  Colonel 
Sanborn  is  high  in  his  praise  of  the  excellent  work  of  the  machine  gun  units.  The 
initiative,  daring,  resourcefulness,  and  novel  methods  of  the  machine  gun  units — which 
completely  nonplussed  the  enemy  as  many  of  the  prisoners  admitted — contributed  in  a 
large  measure  to  the  success  achieved. 

^"^See  also  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:93.  The  medical 
arrangements  made  during  these  operations  are  set  forth  in  the  Medical  History,  33rd 
Division,  3:307-308. 

^"'^Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:44. 

^"^See  3:361.  General  W^olf  gives  the  number  of  prisoners  as  "approximately 
1,200."  In  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
Major  Putnam  remarks  that  "Although  machine  gunners  are  not  often  privileged  to 
take  prisoners,  yet  .  .  .  Co.  'B'  took  and  hold  receipts  for  11  prisoners  captured  on 
night  of  Oct.  10,  1918." 

^''^Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:44;  131st  Infantry  Engagement  at 
Bois  de  Chaume,  3:94-95;  Commanding  Officer  131st  Infantry,  to  Commanding 
General  66th  Brigade,  October  25,  191 8,  3:110;  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry, 
to  Commanding  General,  66th  Brigade,  October  19,  191 8;  Materiel  captured  by  the 
33rd  Division,  3:362. 

^^"Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:44. 

^"Training  Circular  No.  184  dealt  with  various  matters  in  respect  to  artillery, 
and  Training  Circular  No.  185  gave  instructions  on  the  subject  of  animals,  of  which 
there  was  a  serious  shortage  in  France. 


NOTES  369 

^'^ist  U.  S.  A.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  615-S/3,  Order  No.  9, 
dated  October  I4,  1918,  2:97. 

^^'ist  U.  S.  A.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  614-S/3,  Secret 
Special  Order,  October  I4,  1918,  2:98. 

^^^For  a  resum6  of  the  orders  issued  in  compliance  with  these  instructions,  see 
Journai  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  from  6  a.m.  October  14,  to  6  a.m.  October 
15,  1918,  2:471. 


(e) 


CHAPTER  VI 

^See  above,  1:143.  This  relief  was  effected  under  the  provisions  of  Field  Order 
No.  6,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  October  14,  1918,  2:613;  Field  Order  No.  20,  P.  C.  Platte 
[code  word  for  66th  Infantry  Brigade],  October  14,  1918,  10:30  a.m.,  3:47;  and  Field 
Order  No.  21,  Headquarters  130th  Infantry,  October  14,  1918,  2:685. 

^"On  night  of  Oct.  14th,  Co.  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  with  ist  Battalion, 
132nd  Infantry  took  over  gun  positions  in  the  Dannevoux  Wood  Sector."  Report  of 
the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:190.  "Our  stay  in  this 
sector  was  without  special  incident.  The  enemy  artillery  harrassed  our  forward 
positions  continuously  with  high  explosive  and  gas  shelling,  resulting  in  few  casualties." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:157. 

^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:673. 

^"On  the  night  i4/i5th  October,  the  battalion  was  withdrawn  to  Forges  Woods, 
where  they  remained  as  Divisional  Reserve."  Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  2:558. 

"Co.  A  .  .  .  Oct.  14-15  moved  to  Forges  Wood."  Supplemental  report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:199. 

"Co.  C — Oct.  9  to  15  in  brigade  reserve  in  Forges  Wood."     Ibid.,  3:200. 

^Field  Order  No.  20,  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  October  14,  1918,  10:30  a.m.,  3:48. 

'"The  last  unit  of  the  131st  Infantry  crossed  the  river  going  west  at  11:30  a.m., 
October  15th  and  the  CO.  131st  Inf.  turned  over  command  of  the  sector  with  dis- 
positions complete  at  12  o'clock  Noon. 

"Pursuant  to  F.O.  #20,  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  October  14th  the  regiment  went 
into  position  in  trenches  west  of  Forges  Woods  where  needed  new  clothing  and  supplies 
were  issued  and  the  men  made  as  comfortable  as  circumstances  could  permit."  131st 
Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:91. 

^Pursuant  to  order  of  the  Corps  Commander,  October  14.  See  1:146.  "15th 
October.  Action  ordered  on  the  14th  begun  at  7:30  a.m."  Report  of  Operations  of 
105th  Field  Artillery,  3:277. 

^"Progress  very  slow.  Our  present  line  on  left  is  about  82.4.  On  right  it  recedes 
slightly  toward  the  South.  Badly  held  up  by  strong  Machine  Gun  nests,  and  a  prisoner 
states  that  there  are  65  Machine  Guns  in  the  woods  on  the  right  of  the  29th  Inf.  Div. 
U.  S.  The  strong  line  of  works  along  the  south  edge  of  Bois  de  la  Grande  Montagne 
are  in  our  hands  and  will  remain  there.  Everything  indicates  that  progress  will  con- 
tinue to  be  slow. 

"Artillery  fire  from  the  right  flank  and  north  of  it  has  been  heavy  and  continuous 
throughout  the  day.  Request  active  counter-battery  work  throughout  the  night  to 
East  of  Meridian  26.3  and  North  of  82.  Also  request  some  Corps  work  during  night 
north  of  82.5  in  Bois  de  la  Grande  Montagne. 

Our  line  approximately  on  82.5."   Telephone  report  from  Commanding  General, 
29th  Division,  received  at  Headquarters  17th  Army  Corps,  October  15,  1918,  at  3:40 

P.M. 

"  If  we  succeed  in  holding  the  ground  won  today,  it  is  requested  that  33rd  Division 
be  pushed  forward.  Also  that  57th  Brigade  push  forward.  We  must  have  support  on 
our  flanks."  Telephone  report  from  Commanding  General,  29th  Division,  received  at 
Headquarters  17th  Army  Corps,  October  15,  19 18,  about  5  p.m. 

370 


NOTES  371 

'""On  October  15th  the  Battalion  went  forward  with  Co.  H  on  the  extreme  right 
advancing  1000  yards.  This  advance  was  made  under  heavy  artillery  fire  and  against 
machine  gun  nests.  As  the  troops  on  the  right  of  Company  H  failed  to  advance  the 
entire  Battalion  returned  to  their  old  positions  in  the  woods  and  ended  the  period 
preparing  for  another  advance  the  next  day."  Second  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, 
Operations,  2:657. 

''" October  15th.  Holding  out-post  positions."  Narrative  of  Machine  Gun 
Company,  129th  Infantry,  2:663. 

'-"On  the  morning  of  Oct.  15th  the  Bn.  moved  up  into  support  occupying  the 
Tranchee  Cabestan."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry,  2:654. 

"Oct.  15th  we  remained  in  the  same  position,  ["support  trenches  near  south 
edge  of  Bois  de  Chaume  and  Bois  Plat  Chene"]  with  the  exception  of  Co.  L,  who 
moved  forward  in  support  of  the  2nd  Battalion  129th  Inf.  with  the  mission  to  maintain 
liaison  with  the  1 15th  Inf.  on  the  right."  Narrative  of  Operations  of  the  3rd  Battalion, 
129th  Infantry,  2:661. 

''"Oct.  15,  1918.  The  Second  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  holding  the  line  along 
the  East  and  West  Grid  820  between  North  and  South  Grids  23  and  24.  Third  Battal- 
ion 129th  Infantry  in  trench  south  of  Bois  du  Plat  Chene.  First  Battalion  129th  In- 
fantry, less  detachments,  with  Third  Battalion.  Third  Battalion  130th  Infantry 
approximately  along  East  and  West  grid  820,  between  North  and  South  grids  22  and 
23.  Troops  advanced  at  8:00  a.m.  to  objective,  pivoting  on  left  flank  Second  Battalion 
129th  Infantry  to  240-828.  The  29th  Division  on  our  right  failed  to  advance,  we 
readjusted  our  lines  as  they  were  at  8:00  a.m.  this  morning.  Regimental  P.  C.  now  at 
232-815.  Continued  heavy  enemy  shell  fire  and  machine  gun  fire.  Casualties  one 
(i)  officer  wounded,  four  (4)  men  killed  thirty-four  (34)  men  wounded.  Preparations 
made  to  resume  advance  in  morning."  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infan- 
try, 2:647. 

'*" October  15th  .  .  .  The  129th  Infantry  advanced  500  yards  at  9:30  a.m.,  under 
command  of  the  Commanding  General,  66th  Infantry  Brigade  in  accordance  with 
telephonic  instructions  from  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  received  at  3:00  a.m.,  in 
conjunction  with  the  29th  Division  on  the  Brigade  right,  their  objective  being  reached 
at  11:00  AM,  but  were  compelled  to  withdraw  to  their  original  position  during  the 
afternoon  [on]  account  [of]  29th  Division  failing  to  advance  to  their  objective.  Com- 
mand passed  from  the  Commanding  General  66th  Infantry  Brigade  to  the  Command- 
ing General  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  just  prior  to  withdrawal  of  the  129th  Infantry 
from  their  objective  to  their  original  position."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General, 
65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:599. 

'*"Co.  B  after  being  relieved  October  13th  remained  in  reserve  in  trenches  south 
of  Consenvoye  until  noon  October  i6th."  Special  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:199. 

'^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:264. 

'^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  15  and  16,  1918. 

'^"October  15th. 
**i9:oo.  Ordered  Commanding  Officer,  io6th  Field  Artillery  to  fire  on  batteries  at 

H  36.58,  H  33.42,  H  71.75."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field 
Artillery  Brigade,  3:261. 


372  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^^"Co.  C  . . .  Oct.  15-16  relieved  Co,  B,  123rd  M.  G.  Bn.  north  of  Dannevoux." 
Special  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:200. 

"  15th  October,  1918.  Co.  B  relieved  in  Bois  de  Dannevoux  by  Machine  Gun  Co. 
66th  Infantry  Brigade.  Proceeded  to  east  side  of  River  Meuse  in  immediate  vicinity 
of  Consenvoye.  Move  made  night  of  I5th-i6th  October,  1918.  Went  in  bivouac 
south  of  Consenvoye  off  Consenvoye— Brabant  Road.  Reverted  to  command  of 
Commanding  Officer  123  M.  G.  Bn.  Scattered  shelling  by  enemy  throughout  the  day. 
Light  concentration  of  gas  during  night  in  Consenvoye.  Casualties:  Wounded, 
slight  I."    Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:21. 

^*'"2nd  Battalion  Headquarters,  Batteries  'A','B'  and  'F'  moved  to  new  forward 
position  near  the  Bois  de  Jur6,  Co-ordinates:  2nd  Battalion  P.  C.  17.2-80.5,  Battery 
'A'  17.5-79.8,  Battery  'B'  17.4-79.6,  Battery  'F'  17.9-79.5."  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:264. 

^^"  15th  October — Hdqrs.  ist  Bn.,  Batteries  A,  B,  and  F  moved  at  19H00  to  new 
positions  west  of  Gercourt  arriving  at  23H00,  Positions  occupied  as  follows, — ist 
Battalion  P.  C.  17.2-78.3;  1st  Battalion  O.  P.  18.5-74.9;  Battery 'A'  #  I  Gun  17.0- 
78.7;  Battery  'B'  #  1  Gun  16.6-79.1;  Battery  'F'  #  i  Gun  17.2-78.7."  Operations, 
io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:284. 

^^Order  No.  11,  17th  Army  Corps,  October  16,  1918  (see  1:154).  "Following 
report  from  29th  Division  at  15  hours  15  received  here:  'The  left  of  our  line  has  reached 
First  Objective  of  Exploitation.  Right  well  up  and  still  advancing.'"  Report  of 
Liaison  Officer  of  33rd  Division  at  Headquarters  17th  Army  Corps,  October  16,  1918, 
3:40  P.M. 

"Colonel  Cloman  [i.e.  Chief  of  Staff  of  the  29th  Division]  reports  that  his  Division 
has  captured  the  summit  of  Grande  Montagne."  Report  of  Liaison  Officer  of  33rd 
Division  at  Headquarters  17th  Army  Corps,  October  16,  1918,  6  p.m. 

^^"October  i6th. 
1 :40  Received  request  from  Chief  of  Staff,  29th  Division,  for  artillery  support  of 
attack  by  his  Division  east  of  Parallel  #  24.  Notified  Artillery  Detachment 
Commander,  and  instructed  him  to  fire  with  three  155  m/m  batteries  and  two 
75  m/m  batteries  on  requested  objectives."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:261. 

^*"Oct.  16,  1918.  Second  Battalion,  129th  Infantry  advanced  to  its  objective  at 
9:30  A.M.  objective  reached  at  1:00  p.m.  We  had  excellent  Liaison  with  the  29th 
American  Division  at  all  times.  New  position  consolidated.  Heavy  enemy  shell  fire. 
Casualties,  one  (i)  man  killed,  twenty-three  (23)  men  wounded."  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:647. 

"October  i6th  ....  129th  Infantry  again  advanced  500  yards,  took  their  ob- 
jective and  held  it,  their  right  flank  being  protected  this  time  by  the  advance  of  the 
29th  Division."     Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:599. 

"On  October  16th  the  Battalion  line  in  Bois  de  Chaume  swung  forward  Company 
E  holding  its  position  and  Company  H  on  the  extreme  right  advancing  1000  yards. 
The  advance  was  made  early  in  the  morning  without  support  of  the  artillery  and  the 
losses  were  very  light.  The  rest  of  the  i6th  and  17th  were  spent  in  entrenching  the 
new  positions."  Second  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, Operations, October  16  to  December 
7,1918,2:658. 


NOTES  373 

^^"The  1st  Bn.,  129th  Inf.  took  up  position  in  support  N.  E.  of  Consenvoye  on  the 
15th  Oct.,  1918  in  which  position  it  remained  until  the  night  of  the  i8th  Oct."  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  January  5,  191 8,  2:654. 

"Oct.  i6th  and  17th  this  Battalion  continued  to  act  in  the  capacity  of  Regimental 
support."     Narrative  of  Operations  of  the  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:661. 

^^Reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers,  130th  Infantry,  2:673,  and  104th  Field 
Artillery,  3:270. 

^^"i6th  October,  1918.  Disposition  of  companies  unchanged.  Co.  B  moved 
from  bivouac  one-half  kilo,  south  of  Consenvoye  to  bivouac  in  immediate  vicinity  of 
Brabant.  Scattered  shelling  throughout  the  day.  Casualties:  Killed,  i;  Wounded, 
slight,  6;  Wounded,  serious,  i."    Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:21. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:157. 

^^"On  night  of  Oct.  15th,  Co.  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  relieved  Co.  B, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  in  this  same  sector,  relief  being  made  without  incident. 
Both  Companies  C  &  D  remained  in  these  positions  until  night  of  Oct.  i9th-2oth." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  1 24th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3 : 1 90. 

^"See  3:264,  277,  284. 

'^"Co.  A  .  .  .  Oct.  15-16  moved  in  reserve  on  Hill  262  about  3  kilometers  North- 
west of  Gercourt.  Remained  until  Oct.  20th."  Special  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:199. 

^^13 1st  Infantry  Engagement  at  Bois  de  Chaume,  3:91. 

^^Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:558. 

^*"Co.  B  after  being  relieved  October  13th  remained  in  reserve  in  trenches  south 
of  Consenvoye  until  noon  October  i6th,  when  they  crossed  the  river  and  remained  in 
reserve  on  the  south  of  Bois  de  Forges."  Special  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:199-200. 

^^The  only  entry  in  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery 
Brigade,  has  been  quoted  (see  above,  i  :374,  n.  23).  There  were  no  entries  for  October 
16  in  the  reports  of  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  104th  and  105th  Field  Artillery, 
while  that  in  the  Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  is  decidedly  laconic:  "i6th  Octo- 
ber— No  activity." 

^^"Bois  de  Chaume  and  front  lines  shelled  during  the  afternoon,  caliber  77  m/m 
about  40  an  hour.  Intermittent  shelling  of  Consenvoye— Gercourt  road,  Bois  Jure  and 
Gercourt.  Slight  harassing  of  Bois  de  Forges  near  Drillancourt  during  the  night,  about 
six  m/m  an  hour.  Some  gas.  Road  intersection  at  point  20.6-79.4  shelled  at  irregular 
intervals  during  the  night.  Very  quiet  during  the  morning."  Operations  Report, 
33rd  Division,  October  17,  1918. 

^^Confidential  Memorandum  No.  21,  prescribed  that  the  men  in  the  trenches 
should  be  supplied  with  blankets  immediately  and  that  they  were  to  get  two  hot  meals 
a  day.  Announcement  was  made  that  the  quartermaster  had  an  adequate  supply  of 
socks,  breeches,  and  shoes;  that  it  was  the  duty  of  every  company  commander  to  see 
that  his  men  had  proper  clothing  and  hot  food;  and  that  failure  to  provide  these 
things  would  be  considered  as  proof  of  incompetency. 

^^ist  U.  S.  A.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  631-S/3,  Order  No.  11, 
October  16,  191 8,  2:100, 

'^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  17  and  18,  191 8. 


374  THE  33RD  DIVISlOl^ 

*°"Oct.  17,  1918.  Regiment  spent  day  in  improving  position.  Continued  heavy 
shell  fire  and  machine  gun  fire.  Casualties — four  (4)  men  killed,  twelve  (12)  men 
wounded,  one  (i)  man  missing."  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry, 
2:647. 

"  17th  October,  1918.  Disposition  of  companies  unchanged.  Intermittent  shelling 
by  enemy  throughout  day.  A  few  enemy  planes  over  during  day.  Casualties: 
Killed  I ;  Wounded,  slight,  13;  Wounded,  serious,  i."  Operations  of  123d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  3:21. 

^^"October  17th,  1918.  ist  Bn.,  130th  Infantry,  relieved  the  2nd  Bn.,  129th 
Infantry,  in  the  front  line  and  the  Bois  du  Plat-Chene,  completing  the  relief  at  22:45 
in  accordance  with  Orders  No.  22,  Hdqrs.  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  which  a  so  provided 
relief  of  attached  Machine  Gun  units."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th 
Infantry  Brigade,  2:588-600. 

"  17th  October  1 91 8  ....  the  First  Battalion  130th  Infantry  relieved  the  129th 
Infantry  in  the  Outpost  Zone,  right  half  sector,  Bois  du  Plat-Chene."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:674. 

Field  Order  No.  22,  Headquarters  130th  Infantry,  October  16,  19 18,  prescribed 
that  "the  First  Battalion  of  the  130th  Infantry  will  relieve  the  Second  Battalion  of  the 
129th  Infantry  on  the  night  1 7th/ 1 8th  October  1918,  relief  beginning  at  dark,  and  to  be 
completed  before  daylight  on  the  morning  of  1 8th  October."  The  relief  of  the  machine 
gun  company  was  to  be  made  on  the  night  of  October  18-19. 

*^"  Report  on  activities  of  last  night"  rendered  by  the  Commanding  Officer,!  29th 
Infantry  on  October  18,  1918. 

^'"  i7th/20th  October.  Harassing  and  neutralization  fire  executed  in  accordance 
with  Operation  Orders,  52nd  F.  A.  Brigade."  Report  of  Operations  of  105th  Field 
Artillery,  3:277. 

**"  17th  October — Regimental  P.  C.  closed  at  20.1-72.6  at  13  Hoo  opened  at  same 
hoiir  at  17.2-78.3.  Total  51  rounds  fired  during  day  for  registration."  Operations, 
106th  Field  Artillery,  3:284. 

*^"  October  17th.  Nothing  to  report."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General, 
52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:261. 

*®Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  17  and  18,  191 8. 

*^"G3/     Secret  P.  C.  33RD  Division,  A.  E  .F. 

17th  October,  191 8. 
C.  G.  65th  Inf.  Brigade. 

The  Division  Commander  directs  that  early  tomorrow  morning  and  also  during 
the  course  of  the  day,  you  send  patrols  to  the  Second  Exploitation  Objective  and  report 
results.  W.  H.  Simpson, 

Maj  ,  Inf.,  A.  C.  of  S.,  G-3 
For  W.  K.  Navlor, 

Brigadier  General,  General  Staff, 

Chief  of  Staff." 

*^See  above,  1:155. 

^^"October  i8th  ....  Command  of  front  line  occupation  passed  to  the  Com- 


NOTES  375 

manding  Officer,  130th  Infantry."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry 
Brigade,  2:600. 

^""iSth  October  1918,  Field  Orders  #  23,  Hdqrs.  130th  Infantry,  the  Second 
Battalion  130th  Infantry  relieved  the  Third  Battalion  130th  Infantry  in  the  left  half 
sector  Bois  de  Chaume,  Third  Battalion  occupying  the  support  positions  immediately 
north  and  east  of  the  town  of  Consenvoye,  and  on  this  date  the  command  of  the  Outpost 
and  Defense  lines  passed  to  the  Commanding  Officer  130th  Infantry  from  the  Com- 
manding Officer  129th  Infantry."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry, 
2:674. 

"18th  October,  1918.  Disposition  of  companies  unchanged  during  the  day. 
Co.  A  123  M.  G.  Bn.  relieved  in  line  in  Bois  de  Chaume  by  M.  G.  Co.  130th  Infantry, 
night  of  i8-i9th  October,  1918.  Relief  completed  before  daylight.  Co.  A  moved  to 
bivouacs  in  trenches  south  of  Consenvoye  just  off  Consenvoye-Brabant  Road.  Scat- 
tered shelling  of  entire  area.  Light  concentration  of  gas.  Casualties:  None." 
Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:21. 

This  relief  was  effected  under  the  provisions  of  Order  No.  22,  Headquarters  65th 
Infantry  Brigade,  October  16,  1918  (2:614),  the  Memorandum  issued  by  the  same 
headquarters  on  October  17,  1918,  and  Field  Order  No.  23,  Headquarters  130th  Infan- 
try, October  18,  191 8. 

^^"Oct.  18, 1918.  Entire  Regiment  relieved  by  the  130th  Infantry,  all  of  the  130th 
Infantry  North  of  Grid  80.  Entire  129th  Infantry  disposed  between  East  and  West 
Grids  78  and  80,  and  between  Meuse  River  and  North  and  South  Grid  24,  per  orders 
No.  22  and  BA-914,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  i6th  October,  1918.  Command  of  Out- 
post Zone  passed  to  Commanding  Officer  130th  Infantry.  Entire  129th  Infantry  in 
trenches  South  of  Consenvoye.  Casualties — nineteen  (19)  men  wounded."  Chrono- 
logical Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:647. 

Reportsof  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  ist  and  3rd  Battalions,  129th  Infan- 
try; Second  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  Operations,  October  16  to  Dec.  7,  1918. 
These  three  reports  concur  in  declaring  that  the  trenches  to  which  the  regiment  with- 
drew on  October  i8th  were  south  and  east  of  Consenvoye.     See  2:655,  661,  658. 

^^"i.  Issued  Confidential  Memorandum  No.  23:  'Great  care  must  be  taken  to 
prevent  men  from  firing  on  our  own  aeroplanes.  Attention  is  directed  to  Confidential 
Memorandum  No.  14,  c.s.,  these  Hdqrs.' 

"2.     Issued  Training  Circular  185:    'Reduction  of  hostile  machine  gun  nests.' 

"3.  Issued  Training  Circular  186:  'Re-organization.  Co.  Comdrs.  will  effect  at 
once  such  re-organization  of  the  units  as  may  have  been  necessary  as  a  result  of  losses 
incurred  in  recent  combat.' 

"4.  Sent  warning  orders  to  65th,  66th,  52nd  Brigades,  io8th  Engrs.,  Trains  and 
122nd  M.  G.  Bn.,  regarding  relief  of  Division. 

"5.  Rendered  usual  situation  and  operations  reports  to  Corps  and  G.  H.  Q." 
Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  am.  October  8,  to  6  a.m.  October  19,  1918, 
2:472. 

^^ist  U.  S.  A.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  649-S/3,  Order  No.  13, 
dated  October  18,  1918. 

^^A  second  communication  from  the  17th  Army  Corps  requested  a  list  of  fifty  men 
— including  about  ten  officers — who  had  particularly  distinguished  themselves  during 
the  fighting  since  October  8,  as  General  Claudel   desired   to   recommend   them   for 


376  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

French  decorations,  (ist  U.  S.  A.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  ist  Bureau,  No.  10,593/p, 
October  18,  1918.)  A  third  communication  contained  extracts  from  Special  Orders, 
No.  70  of  the  First  American  Army  fixing  the  line  of  resistance  and  the  zone  of  outposts 
in  the  terrain  already  gained.  (17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No  648-S/3, 
note  dated  October  18,  1918.) 

^^Statement  of  Operations  Officer,  130th  Infantry. 

^^Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion  for  October  18,  1918.  See  above, 
1:156  and  3:21. 

*'"Oct.  19,  1918.  Regiment  moved  to  trenches  South  of  Consenvoye.  P.  C.  of 
129th  Infantry  remained  as  before  [viz:  at  Point  232-815  in  eastern  part  of  the  Bois 
de  Chaume].  Casualties — eighty-six  (86)  men  wounded."  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:647. 

"The  night  of  the  18th  Oct.  .  .  .  ordered  to  move  to  reserve  position  south  of 
Consenvoye."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, 
2:655. 

^^See  map  illustrating  operations  of  130th  Infantry  in  Woods  and  Dannevoux  sub- 
sectors  and  right  bank  of  the  Meuse. 

^^"i9th  October,  1918:  Disposition  of  companies  unchanged.  Light  hostile 
shelling.    Casualties:   None."    Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:21. 

^''"October  19th  ....  Work  of  strengthening  front  line  position  by  130th  Infan- 
try progressing  in  accordance  with  Brigade  Defense  Scheme,  129th  Infantry  in  reserve 
and  support  position.  Patrol  sent  out  during  the  night  for  reconnaissance  of  the  ridge 
in  the  immediate  brigade  front."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry 
Brigade,  2:600.  This  patrol  was  executed  pursuant  to  Memorandum  order  from 
Headquarters  65th  Brigade,  October  19,  191 8,  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th 
Infantry. 

^'The  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  contains  no  entry 
for  October  19. 

^^Compare  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:674. 

^^See  March  Table,  Field  Order  No.  30,  2:290. 

®^"Oct.  19-20  moved  with  Bn.  Hdqrs.  to  Bois  de  Nixeville."  Supplemental 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:200. 

^^"The  night  of  i9/2oth  October,  .  .  in  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  Field 
Order  No.  30,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  19th  October,  they  moved  to  the  Camp  Moulin 
Brule,  being  relieved  by  the  15th  French  Colonial  Infantry  Division."  Report  of 
Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:558. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  October  19  and  20,  191 8. 

^^"  October  19th. 
9:00    Received  verbal  information  from  Chief  of  Staff,  33rd  Division,  that  Brigade 

would  be  relieved. 
9:25     Artillery  Detachment  dissolved.     Normal  organization  of  the  Brigade  resumed. 
ii:oo    A.M.    Ordered  Commanding  officer,  105th  Field  Arty,   to  fire  on  Vilosnes 

Ravine. 
19:15     Ordered  Commanding  Officer,  io6th  Field  Artillery  to  fire  on  Vilosnes  Ravine 
intermittently  during  the  night. 


NOTES  377 

19:20    Received  F.  O.  30-33rd  Division,  covering  relief  by  the  Artillery  of  the  15th 
Colonial  Division — relief  to  be  completed  morning  of  21st  October,  1918. 

19:20    Ordered  Commanding  Officer,  102nd  Trench  Mortar  Battery  to  harass  Vilosnes 
during  the  night. 

19:40    Ordered  Commanding  Officer,  105th  Field  Artillery  to  harass  Vilosnes  Ravine 
and  battery  positions  north  of  Vilosnes. 

20:50    At  request  of  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  ordered  Command- 
ing Officer,  105th  Field  Artillery  to  fire  two  concentrations  on  Sivry-sur-Meuse, 
reported  occupied  by  enemy  using  machine  guns."     Report  of  the  Commanding 
General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:261. 
"i7th/2oth  October.     Harassing  and  neutralization  fire  executed  in  accordance 

with  Operation  Orders,  52nd  F.  A.  Brigade."     Report  of  Operations  of  105th  Field 

Artillery,  3:277. 

"19th  October — 5 54  rounds  harassing  fire  on  17.7-85.4,  23.4-83.5,  to  24.0-83.8, 

23.9-86.8,  19.3-84.7,  24.9-85.4,  24.2-85.3,  Btry  at  17.9-86.5."     Operations,    io6th 

Field  Artillery,  3:285. 

®^"  I.     Rendered  usual  situation  and  operations  reports  to  Corps  and  G.  H.  Q. 

2.  Sent  warning  order  to  66th  Brig.,  io8th  Engrs.,  and  122nd  M.   G.  Bn. 
regarding  relief. 

3.  Issued  Field  Order  No.  30,  directing  relief  of  Division."  Journal  of 
Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  A.M.  October  19,  to  6  a.m.  October  20,  1918, 
2:473- 

®'ist  U.  S.  A.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  657-S/3,  Operation  Order 
No.  14,  October  19,  1918. 

'"See  above,  1:159. 

'^"October  20th. 
14:30     Received  copy  of  order  covering  Artillery  relief. 

19:00     Issued  orders  to  units  of  Brigade  for  relief."     Report  of  the  Commanding 
General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,   3:261. 

"20th  October — no  firing."  Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:285.  No 
mention  of  any  activity  is  made  in  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field 
Artillery,  but  the  105th  indulged  in  some  slight  harassing  and  neutralization  fire 
according  to  the  Report  of  Operations  of  the  105th  Field  Artillery. 

"i.     Rendered  usual  situation  and  operation  reports  to  Corps  and  G.  H.  Q. 

"2.  Issued  Addendum  No.  i  to  Field  Order  No.  30,  completing  relief  of  Division." 
Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  from  6  a.m.  October  20,  to  6  a.m.  October  21,  19 18, 

2:473. 

'^See  2:294. 
1st  A.  U.  S.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  660-S/3,  Secret  Sequel  to 
Special  Order  No.  654-S/3  of  October  18,  1918,  dated  October  20,  1918,  2:102. 

'^ist  A.  U.  S.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  664-S/3,  Order  No.  15, 
October  20,  1918. 

'^^The  Headquarters  of  the  Second  American  Army  at  Toul  that  day  issued  orders 
(G-3  Orders  No.  18,  Secret,  October  20,  1918)  that  "the  33rd  Division  will  relieve  the 
79th  Division  in  the  Troyon  Sector";  that  the  "Relief  will  commence  night  24/25 
October,  1918,  and  be  completed  night  25/26  October,  1918;"   and  that  the  "Details 


378  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

of  relief  will  be  ordered  by  the  Commanding  General,  II  Colonial  Corps  (French)," 
2:104. 

These  orders  did  not,  however,  reach  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  until  10:55  a.m.  on 
October  24. 

^^Supplementary  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battal- 
ion, 3:199-200. 

'^^"  October  20th — ^The  Regiment  left  forward  positions  on  order  from  Brigade 
Commander  to  return  to  the  rear  arriving  at  Bois  de  Cinq  Freres  near  Ancemont 
10/22/18."     Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery,  3:264. 

"20th  October — no  firing.  Relieved  at  22H30  by  French  Colonial  Troops. 
Regiment  left  position  at  23H00  for  Bois  la  Ville."  Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery, 
3:285. 

''^See  march  table  accompanying  Addendum  No.  i  to  Field  Order  No.  30,  2:295. 

^"October  20th  ....  In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Field  Orders  No.  30 
Headquarters  33rd  Division,  relief  of  this  brigade  by  the  15th  French  Colonial  Infantry 
Division  commenced.  129th  Infantry  relieved  in  the  Consenvoye  Sector  by  the  6th 
French  Colonial  Infantry  Regiment  at  17:30  and  proceeded  by  march  to  staging  camp 
in  the  Bois  Delolime.  Brigade  Headquarters  proceeded  by  trucks  to  staging  billets 
i  n  Germonville."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:600. 

^^"Oct.  20,  1918.  Regiment  relieved  in  Consenvoye  Area  by  Sixth  French  Colo- 
nial Regiment  at  3:15  P.M.  Marched  twenty  Kilos  to  Bois  du  Chana,  and  Bois  de 
Delolime  arrived  at  12:00  o'clock  midnight.  Movement  carried  out  per  F.  O.  No.  30, 
Headquarters  33rd  Division,  19th  October,  1918.  Operation  Order  No.  29,  Head- 
quarters 129th  Infantry,  20th  October,  1918."  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
129th  Infantry,  2:647. 

82"  Pursuant  to  said  orders  [i.e.  F.  O.  No.  30,  Hq.  33rd  Division]  and  Field  Orders 
^  24,  Hdqrs.  130th  Infantry,  20th  October  1918,  the  130th  Infantry  was  relieved  by 
the  Second  Colonial  Infantry  Regiment,  (French)  night  of  20th/2ist  October  1918,  the 
regiment  marching  from  the  Bois  de  Chaume  area  to  the  Bois  Bourrus  after  relief  was 
completed  at  9:30  p.m.  on  said  date.  Total  casualties  while  occupying  positions  on  the 
east  bank  of  the  Meuse  and  while  taking  part  in  the  attacks  with  the  129th  and  131st 
Infantry,  between  the  loth  and  i6th  October  1918,  was  23  other  ranks  killed,  3  officers 
wounded,  66  other  ranks  wounded."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th 
Infantry,  2:674. 

^"20th  October,  1918:  Disposition  of  companies  unchanged  during  day.  Pur- 
suant to  Field  Order  30,  H.  Q.  33rd  Division,  19th  Oct.,  1918,  elements  of  33rd 
Division  were  relieved  in  Consenvoye  Sector  by  elements  of  15th  Colonial  Infantry 
Division  (French)  night  of  20-21  Oct.  1918.  Move  made  from  bivouacs  in  vicinity  of 
Consenvoye  and  Brabant  to  Bois  Delolime.  Battalion  P.  C,  Companies  B  and  C 
proceeded  to  new  location  with  129th  Infantry.  Cleared  Brabant  at  6:30  p.m.  and 
arrived  at  Bois  Delolime  at  11:00  p.m.  Went  into  bivouac  for  the  remainder  of  the 
night.  Co.  A  123  M.  G.  Bn.  proceeded  from  vicinity  of  Consenvoye  to  Bois  Bourrus 
with  the  130th  Infantry.  Cleared  Brabant  at  12:00  midnight  and  arrived  Bois 
Bourrus  at  6:30  a.m.  21st  Oct.  1918.  Staging  points  for  move  to  new  area.  Orders 
received  from  P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade  that  Co.  D  123  M.  G.  Bn.  would  remain  in 


NOTES  379 

line,  Consenvoye  Sector,  until  night  of  21-22  October,  1918."     Operations  of  123d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:21. 

^"Co.  B.  .  .  .  Oct.  20-21  moved  to  Camp  les  Tamaris,  about  i  kilometer  north- 
east of  Recourt.  Remained  here  until  Oct.  24th."  Supplemental  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:199-200. 

*^"In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Addendum  No.  i,  to  Field  Order  No.  30, 
P.C.  33rd  Division,  19th  October,  the  battalion  on  the  night  2o/2ist  October,  moved 
to  Rattentout  where  they  rested  until  the  night  24/25th  October."  Report  of  Oper- 
ations I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:559. 

*®Report  of  the  Operations  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  January  8,  1919. 
^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant, 
^"i.     Division  moved  into  new  area. 

"2.  Issued  Confidential  Memorandum  No.  24,  Quoting  General  Order  No.  35, 
III  Corps,  regarding  straggling  and  absenteeism  in  the  command.  Every  officer  and 
man  in  the  command  will  be  subject  to  two  daily  roll  calls,  and  an  absentee  record  will 
be  kept. 

*  3.  Issued  Training  Circular  187.'  Three  days, beginningOct.  22willbe  utilized 
by  all  units  for  rest,re-organization  and  the  replenishment  and  cleaning  of  clothing  and 
equipment.  Infantry  Platoons  will  be  completed  as  provided  for  in  the  Tables  of 
Organization  1914,  and  vacancies  being  filled  up  by  replacements  as  they  arrive. 
Training  will  be  resumed  on  Friday,  October  25.  Drill  schedules  will  be  submitted 
to  these  Hdqrs.  All  animals  will  be  given  3  days  rest,  only  being  used  for  such 
hauling  as  is  absolutely  necessary.'  "  Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m. 
October  21,  to  6  a.m.  October  22,  191 8,  2:473. 

^^"Oct.  21,  1918.  Regiment  billeted  in  Abris  de  Delolime  and  near  Choisel. 
Marched  at  4:00  p.m.,  destination,  Sommedieue,  distance  twenty-two  kilometers.  A 
halt  of  two  hours  was  made  at  Casernes  Bevaux  for  dinner.  Arrived  at  Sommedieue 
at  11:50  P.M.  Casualties — one  (1)  officer  wounded.  Movement  per  Operation  Order 
No.  30,  Headquarters  129th  Infantry,  21st  October,  1918."  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:648. 

^^"October  21st.  .  .  129th  Infantry  completed  move  by  march  from  staging 
camp  in  the  Bois  Delolime  to  Sommedieue  Rest  Area."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:600. 

^^"  Pursuant  to  Addendum  #1,  to  Field  Orders  #30,  Hdqrs.  33rd  Division,  20th 
October  1918,  and  Addendum  to  Field  Orders  ^24,  Hq.  130th  Inf.  21st  Oct.  1918,  the 
130th  Infantry  marched  from  the  Bois  Bourrus  to  Rupt-en-Woevre,  arriving  in  billets 
at  the  latter  point  at  4:00  a.m.  on  the  morning  of  22nd  October,  1918."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:674. 

^^"Co.  A.  .  .  Oct.  21-22  moved  to  Haudainville."  "Co.  C  .  .  .  With  Co.  A  &  D 
rest  of  time  until  going  into  Troyon  Sector,  Oct.  24-25."  "Co.  D  . . .  With  Co.  A  rest 
of  time  until  going  into  Troyon  Sector,  Oct.  24th  and  25th."  Supplemental 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,   124th  Machine  Gun   Battalion,  3:199. 

^^"  2ist  October.  Regimental  F.  O.  8,  based  on  F.  O.  30,  33rd  Division,  and  F.  O. 
12,  52nd  F.  A.  Brigade,  was  issued,  giving  details  of  the  withdrawal  of  the  Regiment 


380  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

from  the  sector  upon  relief  by  French  units  of  the  15th  Colonial  Division,  taking  over 
the  sector."     Report  of  Operations  of  105th  Field  Artillery,  3:277. 

^^"  October  2ist 
"10:00    A.M.    Turned  over  Command  to  Commanding  Officer,  Divisional  Artillery, 
15  C.I.  D.  F.  and  moved  P.  C.  to  Dieue."     Report  of  the  Commanding 
General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:261. 

^^"2ist  October,  1918.  Personnel  of  Companies  A,  B,  and  C  rested  up  during 
greater  part  of  day.  Pursuant  to  orders,  Addendum  No.  i  to  Field  Order  No.  30, 
H.  Q.  33rd  Division,  20th  October,  191 8,  move  was  continued  from  Bois  Delolime  to 
Sommedieue.  Battalion  P.  C,  Companies  B  and  C  proceeded  to  new  location  with 
129th  Infantry.  Left  Bois  Delolime  4:00  p.m.  21st  Oct.  1918,  arrived  Sommedieue 
i2:oo  midnight.  Move  made  without  event.  Companies  went  into  billets.  Co.  A 
proceeded  from  Bois  Bourrus  to  Rupt-en-Woevre  with  130th  Infantry.  Arrived  at 
destination  7:30  a.m.  22nd  October,  1918.  Co.  D,  123  M.  G.  Bn.  relieved  in  line, 
Consenvoye  Sector  night  of  2ist  and  22nd  October,  1918  and  proceeded  to  Bois 
Bourrus  for  staging  enroute,  to  new  area."  Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
3:22. 

^^"Oct.  22, 191 8.  Locations:  Regimental  Headquarters,  Headquarters  Company, 
First,  and  Third  Battalions  at  Sommedieue.  Day  spent  in  cleaning  billets  which  had 
been  left  in  bad  condition.  Casualties — four  (4)  men  wounded.  (Gassed)."  Chrono- 
logical Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:648. 

^'^Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:559. 

*^"  October  22nd.  Nothing  to  report."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General, 
52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade.  The  Regiment  .  .  .  arriving  at  Bois  de  Cinq  Freres 
near  Ancemont  10/22/18."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  104th  Field  Artillery, 
3:264. 

"22nd  October.  Regimental  F.  O.  9  issued  in  compliance  with  F.  O.  30,  33rd 
Division,  for  the  second  stage  of  the  relief."  Report  of  Operations  of  105th  Field 
Artillery,  3:277. 

"22nd  October — Regimental  Hdqrs.  ist  Bn.  Hdqrs.  Batteries  A  and  B,  Hdqrs. 
Co.,  Supply  Co.  left  Bois  la  Ville  at  19H00  for  billets  at  Camp  Chene  Gossin,  3  km. 
southeast  of  Dugny,  arrived  at  24H00."     Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:285. 

^^"October  22/  to  24/18— Regtl  P.  C.  Hq.  Sup.  &  M.  G.  Co.— Camp  Monthairons 
(260-505)  Secret  Map  #  155;  ist  Bn. — Le  Chanois  West  (255-473);  2nd  Bn. — 
Ferme  Pontoux  (263-494);  3rd  Bn. — Les  Tamaris,  Camp  (D) — (285-492)."  Report 
of  Operations  Officer,  131st  Infantry. 

"Oct.  2i-24th.  At  rest  in  rear  area."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd 
Infantry,  3:157. 

^*'"Co.  A.  .  .  Oct.  22-23  moved  to  Le  Petit  Monthairon.  Remained  until  Oct. 
24th.  Up  to  this  time  was  with  2nd  Bn.,  132nd  Inf.,  which  left  them  there."  Supple- 
mental Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,3:i99.  Com- 
panies C  and  D  marched  with  Co.  A. 

^"'War  Diary  for  October  22,  191 8,  2:336. 

^*'^"22nd  October,  1918.  Companies  A,  B,  and  C  reorganizing  companies,  cleaning 


NOTES  381 

up  men  and  equipment.     Co.  D  staged  for  the  day  in  Bois  Bourrus."    Operations  of 
123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:22. 

"'^2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  3.381-T/3,  Secret  Particular 
Order  No.  816,  dated  October  22,  1918,  2:105. 

104«<  J  Major  Simpson  visited  65th  Brig.  Hdqrs.,  130th  and  129th  Inf.  Hdqrs.  to 
determine  if  they  found  suitable  locations. 

"2.  Received  order  from  II  Col.  Army  Corps  (French)  for  33rd  Div.  U.  S. 
to  relieve  79th  Div.  U.  S.  in  the  Troyon  sector. 

"3.  Sent  warning  order  to  65th  and  66th  Brigades,  130th  and  131st  Inf.  'This 
Div.  has  been  transferred  to  the  Second  Army  A.  E.  F.  and  assigned  to  the  II  Col. 
Army  Corps  (French)  in  order  to  relieve  the  79th  Div.  U.  S.  in  the  Troyon  sector.  One 
Bn.  130th  Inf.,  to  be  designated  by  Regtl.  Comdr.,  relieves  the  ist  Bn.  313th  Inf.  in 
Bois  de  Combres  (2  Cos.)  and  Bois  des  Eparges  (2  Cos.).  131st  Inf.  will  exchange 
billets  with  the  315th  Inf.  as  reserve  for  the  Right  Sub-sector  of  the  Troyon  sector, 
which  will  be  held  by  the  66th  Inf.  Brig.'"  Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division, 
6  A.M.  October  22,  to  6  a.m.  October  23,  1918,  2:473-474. 

^"^General  von  Soden'sOrder  of  West  Maas  Group  No.  250,  Sept.  30,  1918,  quoted 
in  "Operations  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  in  front  of  Verdun,  September  and  October, 
1918"  (17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  2nd  Bureau,  No.  3399/2,  dated  October  31,  1918). 

^"^See  map  to  illustrate  the  Argonne — Meuse  battle,  issued  by  General  Head- 
quarters. 

^'''See  List  of  Casualties,  33rd  Division,  3:368. 

^"^This  fact  was  abundantly  attested  by  the  statements  of  the  prisoners  taken  in 
the  Bois  de  Forges. 

'"^See  above,  i  :78. 

^^°As  has  been  remarked  (see  above,  1:62,  n.  38),  the  plan  followed  by  the  33rd 
Division  was  suggested  by  Major  Bertier  de  Sauvigny,  a  French  liaison  officer  at 
the  Headquarters  of  the  Ilird  Corps. 

*^^The  following  account,  quoted  from  the  Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  (2:556) — the  division  machine  gun  battalion — is  pertinent  to    the 
subject  under  discussion: 
"The  Attack. 

"In  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Field  Order  No.  23,  P.  C.  33rd  Division, 
dated  24th  September  1918,  this  Battalion  formed  parr  of  the  attacking  echelon,  both 
companies  participating  in  the  barrage  from  C.  R.  I'Oison  and  Eiffel. 

Forty  Vickers  Machine  Guns  (3  companies  plus  i  platoon)  constituted  the  barrage. 
Two  companies  (24  guns)  went  forward  with  the  attacking  infantry  while  the  two 
barrage  companies  on  the  left  went  forward  with  two  infantry  battalions  in  support. 
The  two  companies  of  this  battalion  remained  in  their  positions  to  protect  the  right 
flank,  which  was  open  after  the  attack,  from  Samogneux  to  the  north  of  Brabant.  One 
section  (2  guns)  were  disposed  on  the  extreme  right  flank,  firing  across  the  Meuse  and 
supporting  a  raid  made  by  the  17th  French  Division,  in  conjunction  with  our  attack. 
While  the  other  two  guns  of  this  platoon  were  held  in  reserve  owing  to  the  lack  of 
suitable  positions  in  this  vicinity  and  the  liability  of  the  two  guns  mentioned  being 
knocked  out.  One  platoon  (4  guns)  on  special  mounts  were  utilized  for  anti-aircraft 
defense.  These  guns  were  mounted  on  Ford  trucks  (delivery  body)  and  were  extremely 


382  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

mobile.     The  rate  of  fire  for  the  barrage  was  as  shown  in  Annex  No.  4,  to  Field  Order 
No.  23,  copy  attached  hereto. 

"The  terrain  was  such  that  safety  angles  could  almost  be  disregarded.  All  guns 
being  mounted  on  the  military  crest  of  a  forward  slope  and  firing  on  a  forward  slope 
at  an  average  range  of  2500  yards.  The  average  of  the  guns  were  on  the  235  meter 
contour  while  the  attacking  infantry  were  on  the  200  meter  contour  and  the  first  fall 
of  the  barrage  was  from  the  215  to  220  contours  at  the  range  given,  therefore,  excellent 
covering  fire  was  given  the  infantry  during  their  advance. 

All  emplacements  in  the  old  defensive  line  were  abandoned,  barrage  guns  taking 
up  new  positions  in  shell  craters  in  and  about  the  original  ist.  and  2nd.  lines.  It  was 
evident  during  the  attack  that  good  judgment  had  been  shown  in  this  respect  as  all  of 
the  original  emplacements  were  well  covered  by  the  enemy's  artillery  and  machine 
gun  fire.  These  positions  had  been  used  for  many  months  by  the  French  and  too  much 
movement  had  taken  place  to  and  from  them  in  the  daytime  by  the  American  troops, 
furthermore,  sufficient  skill  and  care  had  not  been  used  in  camouflaging  them,  all  of 
which  resulted  in  their  being  spotted. 
Target  Frontage — 

'  At  the  first  glance  it  would  appear  that  too  much  target  frontage  was  taken  on  by 
the  number  of  guns  involved,  however  the  ground  covered  by  the  first  Barrage  company 
(our  right  flank)  was  very  thinly  held  by  the  enemy.  The  second  company  with  a 
small  traverse  effectively  covered  their  target  while  the  normal  frontage  was  engaged 
by  the  third  company.  The  duration  of  the  barrage  entirely  compensating  for  the 
wide  target  frontage  engaged. 
Effectiveness— 

"Reports  from  prisoners  indicate  that  the  ground  covered  was  well  selected,  this 
being  borne  out  by  the  fact  that  the  German  machine  guns  did  not  retaliate  to  any 
great  extent.  One  prisoner  stated  that  the  barrage  was  so  heavy  that  it  was  impossible 
for  them  to  get  back.  The  two  guns  on  our  right  which  covered  the  French  raid  had 
as  one  target,  a  quarry  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  south  of  Brabant,  in  which  the 
French  found  25  German  casualties,  the  effect  of  this  machine  gun  fire." 

^^^Notes  on  Recent  Operations  No.  3,  Confidential  No.   1376,  G-5,  issued  by 
General  Headquarters,  October  12,  1918,  page  15. 
See  above,  1:104-109. 

^^^See  map  to  illustrate  the  Argonne-Meuse  battle,  issued  by  General  Headquarters. 

^^^"  During  the  period  October  9th  to  12th,  our  troops  were  three  times  in  force 
on  the  final  objective  (2nd  'Exploitation'  objective)  and  ready  to  continue  their 
advance  but  were  unable  to  do  so  because  of  our  exposed  right  flank.  Each  time  the 
enemy  saw  the  opportunity  to  attack  on  our  right  and  took  quick  advantage  of  it." 
Operations  on  East  Bank  of  the  Meuse,  3:43-44. 

^^^Troops  of  the  66th  Brigade  crossed  to  the  east  bank  of  the  Meuse  on  October  8 
and  remained  there  until  the  morning  of  October  15  when  the  last  column  proceeded 
to  the  west  bank.  The  65th  Brigade  as  a  whole  occupied  the  right  sector  from  the 
night  of  October  14-15  until  the  night  of  October  20-21,  although  certain  elements 
had  been  sent  across  the  river  as  early  as  October  9. 

^  See  above,  i  :I52.     The  second  advance  was  that  of  500  yards  on  October  i6th 
in  the  Consenvoye  Sector  when  our  troops  were  enabled  to  hold  their  gain  by  reason  of 


NOTES  383 

the  29th  Division  advancing  at  the  same  time  and  protecting  their  right.  Report 
of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:599. 

iisx-j-j^g  position  held  by  this  brigade  on  the  left  bank  of  the  River  Meuse  was  a 
Salient  which  for  a  considerable  time  was  well  in  advance  of  other  elements  of  the 
American  Army.  The  position  was  subject  to  heavy  shelling  by  high  explosive, 
shrapnel  and  gas  from  three  directions,  besides  machine  gun  fire  and  bombing  from 
aeroplanes."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:634. 
Compare  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:647. 

^^^During  the  period  that  the  brigade  was  in  the  line  on  both  the  west  and  east 
banks  of  the  River  Meuse  offensive  activities  were  constant  in  the  way  of  patrols  and 
raids.  "There  were  also  two  decided  advances  made;  the  first  in  the  Verdun  Sector 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  River  Meuse  which  covered  a  period  of  several  days  in  the 
early  part  of  October  and  resulted  in  clearing  out  the  enemy  and  enabling  our  troops 
to  push  their  Outposts  up  to  the  river  proper,  a  distance  of  approximately  two  kilo- 
meters in  advance  of  the  Outpost  Line  taken  over  from  the  80th  Division."  Report 
of  the  Commanding   General,   65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:633. 

^^"Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:678. 

^^^Simonds,  "America's  Greatest  Battle:  The  Meuse-Argonne"  in  the  American 
Review  of  Reviews,  November,  1919,  p.  499.  In  his  History  of  the  World  War, 
Mr.  Simonds  declares  (volume  5,  page  303)  that  "the  achievement  of  the  33rd,  in 
crossing  the  deep  river  and  the  canal  beyond  it,  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
circumstances  in  the  battle  and  a  fitting  climax  to  the  operation  of  the  division 
on  September  26th." 


CHAPTER  VII 

^Division  P.  C Dieue 

Headquarters  Troops Dieue 

1 22nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion Rattentout 

io8th  Train  Headquarters  and  Military 

Police Ancemont 

lo8th  Field  Signal  Battalion Ancemont 

1 08th  Sanitary  Train Faubourg  Pave 

io8th  Engineers Dugny 

io8th  Supply  Train 

65th  Brigade  P.  C Sommedieue 

129th  Infantry Sommedieue  and  vicinity 

130th  Infantry Rupt-en-Woevre 

123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion Rupt-en-Woevre 

66th  Brigade G^nicourt 

131st  Infantry Camp  Monthairons  area 

132nd  Infantry Les  Monthairons-Genicourt  area 

124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion Le  Petit  Monthairon — Camp  les  Tamaris 

52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade  P.  C Dieue-sur-Meuse 

104th  Field  Artillery Bois  des  Cinq  Fr^res 

105th  Field  Artillery Bois  la  Ville 

io6th  Field  Artillery Bois  la  Ville  and  Le  Chene  Gossin 

1 02nd  Trench  Mortar  Battery Faubourg  Pav6 

102nd  Ammunition  Train Faubourg  Pav6 

^"  23rd  October,  191 8:  Companies  A,  B,  and  C  continued  reorganizing  and  clean- 
ing up  men  and  equipment.  Co.  D  proceeded  from  Bois  Bourrus  to  Rupt-en-Woevre 
via  Sommedieue.  Left  Bois  Bourrus  9:00  a.m.  and  arrived  in  Sommedieue  6:00  p.m. 
Staged  in  Sommedieue  night  of  23rd-24th  October,  1918."  Operations  of  123d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:22. 

^See  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:648;  2nd  Battalion, 
129th  Infantry,  2:658;  Narrative  of  Operations  of  the  3rd  Battalion  129th  Infantry, 
a:66i;  Operations,  io6th  Field  Artillery,  3:285. 

I'^s  prescribed  by  Training  Circular,  33rd  Division,  October  21, 1918.  See  above, 
1:379,  n.  88. 

^See  above,  1:165. 

"i.    Issued  Field  Order  No.  31  in  connection  with  relief  of  79th  Div.  U.  S.  by  33rd 
Division.    Also  march  table. 
2.    Sent  warning  order  to  65th  and  66th  Brigades,  io8th  Engrs.  and  i22ndM.G. 
Bn.,  regarding  march  of  units  to  relieve  79th  Div.  U.  S."    Journal  of  Opera- 
tions, 33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  October  23  to  6  a.m.  October  24,  191 8,  2:474. 
"October  23rd 
"19:45     Received  copy  of  17th  (French)  Corps  order  directing  33rd  Division  to  relieve 

79th  Division  inTroyon  sector. 
"22:00    Arranged  with  Divisional  Artillery  Commander,79th  Division,  (Commanding 

384 


NOTES  385 

General,  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade)  details  of  relief."     Report  of  the  Com- 
manding General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:262. 

^See  2:301. 

®Field  Order  No.  21,  P.  C.  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  A.  E.  F.,  was  issued  at  7:30  p.m. 
on  October  23,  1918  (3:49),  Field  Order  No.  8,  P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  A.  E.  F. 
was  issued  at  10:55  a.m.  on  October  4,  191 8,  but  was  preceded  by  a  memorandum  order 
to  the  C.  O.  Pilot  [code  word  for  130th  Infantry]  on  October  23  and  by  a  warning  order 
issued  at  2:25  a.m.  on  October  23  [October  24],  2:615,  616. 

^0"  Pursuant  to  Field  Orders  #31,  Hdqrs.  33rd  Division,  23rd  October,  191 8,  also 
Field  Orders  #  8,  Hdqrs.  65th  Brigade,  and  Field  Orders  #  27,  Hdqrs.  130th  Infantry, 
25th  Oct.  1918,  the  I39thlnf.  relieved  the  3i3thlnf.in  the  Connecticut  Sub-sector  with 
Outposts  at  Fresnes-Champlon-Saulx,  and  Line  of  Defense,  Hill  372,  Cote  des  Eparges, 
and  C6te-de-Biolle  .  .  .  The  Second  Battalion  130th  Infantry  relieving  the  First 
Battalion  313th  Infantry  with  two  companies  in  the  Bois  de  Combres,  and  two  com- 
panies in  the  Bois-des-Eparges.  Relief  of  the  Reserve  Battalion  being  made  on  the 
23rd  October  1918."     Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:674. 

^^Report  of  the  Operations  Officer,  131st  Infantry. 

^^See  Move  Table  annexed  to  Field  Order  No.  31,  2:300. 

"See  1:165. 

^*See  above,  1:377,  n.  76. 

^^Records  of  the  Message  Centre,  33rd  Division. 

^^See  2:104, 

^^See  above,  1:165,  173,  174. 

^^"i.     Issued  order  attaching  52nd  F.  A.  Brig,  to  79th  Div.  U.  S.    and  relieving 
them  from  command  of  33rd  Division. 
"2.     Major  Simpson  visited  Col.  Sanborn's  P.  C. 
"3.     Rendered  situation  report  to  G.  H.  Q." 

Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  October  24,  to  6  a.m.  October  25,  191 8, 
2:474. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  52nd  Field  Artillery  Brigade.  See  above, 
1:162;  3:264. 

^""Oct.  24,  1918.  At  3:00  P.M.  Regiment  marched  to  rest  area  in  Troyon  Sector, 
relieving  the  314th  Infantry  of  the  79th  Division  there.  Regimental  Headquarters, 
Headquarters  Company,  Machine  Gun  Company,  Supply  Company  billeted  in  Ambly. 
First  Battalion  at  Recourt,  Second  Battalion  at  Tilly-sur-Meuse,  Third  Battalion  at 
Ranzieres.  Relief  completed  at  6:30  p.m.  Distance  marched,  ten  kilos.  Movement 
per  F.  O.  No.  31,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  23rd  October,  191 8.  Operation  Order 
No.  31,  Headquarters  129th  Infantry,  24th  October,  191 8."  Chronological  Record  of 
Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:648.  See  also  reports  of  the  three  battalion  commanders  of 
the  regiment. 

^^"  Third  Battalion  130th  Infantry  relieving  the  Second  Battalion  313th  Infantry 
in  the  right  section,  C.  R.  Augusta,  of  Sub-Sector  Connecticut  ....  the  relief  of  the 
Second  Battalion  313th  Infantry,  in  C.  R.  Augusta  being  made  on  24th  October." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:674. 

"October  24th  ....  130th  Infantry  relieved  the  313th  Infantry  in  the  line  and 
(0 


386  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

the  129th  Infantry  relieved  the  314th  Infantry  in  the  Fort  de  Troyon  Rest  Area." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:601. 

^^"24th  October,  1918.  Co.  D  proceeded  from  Sommedieue  to  Rupt-en-Woevre. 
Move  made  during  the  morning  by  small  detachments.  Pursuant  to  Field  Order  No.  8, 
P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  dated  24th  October,  191 8,  the  123rd  M.  G.  Bn.  will 
relieve  31  ith  M.  G.  Bn.  Co.  B  proceeded  from  Sommedieue  5:30  p.m.  for  area  forward 
of  Mouilly  and  relieved  portion  of  guns  of  311th  M.  G.  Bn.  in  main  line  of  resistance  in 
sub-sector  'Connecticut.'  Disposition  of  Companies  A  and  C  unchanged."  Operations 
of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:22. 

^^"On  night  of  October  24th-25th  the  Regiment  took  over  the  Troyon  Sector,  and 
remained  in  the  line  until  night  of  November  6th-7th."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:157. 

^■^See  Move  Table  annexed  to  Field  Order  No.  31,  2:300. 

^^"On  the  night  of  Oct.  24th-25th  the  battalion  marched  from  its  billets  at  Camp 
les  Tamaris  and  Petite  le  Monthairons,  where  units  had  been  resting  for  a  few  days,  to 
the  vicinity  of  Longeau  Farm  in  the  Troyon  Sector.  After  a  night  march  of  18  miles 
covering  a  period  of  12  hours,  the  battalion  arrived  at  its  destination  about  6:00  a.m., 
Oct.  25th,  and  companies  proceeded  to  take  over  gun  positions  from  the  312th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  79th  Division,  A.  E.  F.,  in  the  Massachusetts  sub-sector.  These 
reliefs  were  completed,  except  as  to  positions  in  the  outpost  zone,  by  10:00  a.m.  Reliefs 
in  the  outpost  zone  were  completed  the  night  of  Oct.  25th  by  9:00  p.m."  Report  of 
the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:190. 

^^"The  regiment  marched  ...  to  the  Troyon-Chaillon  Sectors;  Headquarters 
P.  C.  being  at  Tilly-sur-Meuse;  First  and  Second  Battalion  P.  Cs.  east  of  la  Grande 
Tranchee  de  Calonne."     Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  2:541, 

^^Report  of  the  Acting  Division  Signal  Officer. 

^^"Rattentout  where  they  rested  until  the  night  24/25th  October,  when  in  accord- 
ance with  Field  Order  No.  31,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  23rd  October,  1918,  they  moved 
to  Woimbey  relieving  the  310th  Machine  Gun  Battalion."  Report  of  Operations, 
I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:559. 

^^"Oct.  25,  1918.  Two  platoons  from  Second  Battalion,  plus  one  section  Machine 
Gun  Company,  129th  Infantry  marched  five  kilos  to  Fort-de-Troyon  to  reinforce 
French  Garrison  there  (one  platoon  from  Co. '  F',  one  platoon  from  Co. '  H ').  Remain- 
der of  Regiment  occupied  in  cleaning  equipment  and  billets."  Chronological  Record 
of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:648. 

^"War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  October  25,  1918,  2:336. 

^^"  I.     Rendered  situation  report  to  G.  H.  Q. 
"2.     Relief  completed  at  2:15  a.m.  26th  Oct.  1918. 

"3.     Major  Simpson,  accompanied  by  Chief  of  Staff,  visited  P.  C.  and  area  of 
132nd  Inf.  and  79th  Division  Hdqrs." 

Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  October  25,  to  6  a.m.  October  26, 
191 8,  2:474. 

'^2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  3.410-T/3,  Secret  Special  Order 
No.  817,  October  25,  1918,  2:109. 

'^"  Co.  B:  This  company  arrived  at  St.  Maurice  at  6:30  a.m.,  Oct.  25th,  and  took 
over  from  Co.  A,  312th  Machine  Gun  Battalion  that  afternoon  and  evening  eight 


NOTES  387 

positions,  four  between  Doncourt  and  VVoel  and  four  at  St.  Maurice.  Lieut.  Price, 
with  the  1st  Platoon,  took  over  the  four  forward  guns  and  the  other  two  phitoons 
followed  in  turn,  doing  tours  of  five  days  each."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:192. 

^'"The  First  Battalion  relieved  the  Third  (left)  Battalion,  313th  Infantry  in  the 
C.  R.  Providence  of  the  Sub-sector  Connecticut.  .  .  the  relief  of  the  Third  Battalion 
313th  Infantry  in  C.  R.  Providence  being  made  on  25th  October  191 8  .  .  .  the 
Machine  Gun  Company  130th  Infantry  relieved  the  Machine  Gun  Co.  313th  Infantry 
in  the  C.  R.  Providence,  Sub-sector  Connecticut  night  of  25th  October  1918."  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:674. 

^^"25th  October,  1918.  Battalion  P.  C.  moved  from  Sommedieue  to  Rivoli, 
38.8 — 50.8  (Map  St.  Mihiel  1:50,000)  sub-sector  'Connecticut'.  Co.  C  moved  from 
Sommedieue  to  sub-sector  'Connecticut'  and  relieved  portion  of  guns  of  311th  M.  G. 
Bn.  Relief  completed  before  daylight  26th  October,  1918.  Companies  A  and  D 
moved  from  Rupt-en-Woevre  to  sub-sector  'Connecticut'  and  relieved  Companies  C 
and  B,  311th  M.  G.  Bn.  respectively,  in  reserve.  All  reliefs  completed  during  night 
of  25-26th  Oct.  191 8.  Casualties:  None."  Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:22. 

^®As  prescribed  by  Field  Order  No.  31,  October  23,  1918,  2:298. 

"October  26th  ....  Command  of  Subsector  Connecticut  passed  from  the 
Commanding  General  157th  Infantry  Brigade  to  the  Commanding  General  65th 
Infantry  Brigade  at  8:00  hours."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,  65th  Infantry 
Brigade,  2:601. 

"Oct.  23rd  to  26th.  Brigade  relieved  the  158th  (Amer.)  Brigade  in  the  Troyon 
Sector.     132nd  Inf.  in  line."    Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:28. 

^■^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

I.  Rendered  situation  and  operation  report  to  Corps  G.  H.  Q. 
"2.  Sent  letter  to  66th  Brig.,  131st  Inf.  and  122nd  M.  G.  Bn.  regarding  exten- 
sion of  front  and  relief  of  elements  of  the  39th  Div.  (French)  by  131st  Inf. 
and  I22nd  M.  G.  Bn.  Also  march  of  131st  Inf.  and  122nd  M.  G.  Bn.  to 
Chaillon  and  St.  Mihiel."  Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.  m. 
October  26,  to  6  a.m.  October  27,  1918,  2:474. 

'^2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  3.417-T/3,  General  Order 
No.  344,  October  26,  1918,  2:112. 

^See  above,  i:55;  3:207,  215,  217,  220. 

^^See  above,  1:55,  175. 

^^See  above,  1:175. 

^^Operations  of  Divisional  Artillery,  33rd  Division,  U.  S.,  Troyon  Sector,  55th 
Field  Artillery  Brigade.  Upon  the  arrival  of  the  135th  and  136th  Field  Artillery,  the 
following  distribution  was  made: 

North  Group,  supporting  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  was  composed  of  the  114th 
Field  Artillery  and  the  ist  Battalion  of  the  113th  Field  Artillery  under  Colonel  Lea. 

South  Group,  supporting  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  comprised  the  135th  Field 
Artillery  and  the  2nd  Battalion  of  the  113th  Field  Artillery  under  Colonel  Hard. 

Heavy  Group,  supporting  the  entire  division  sector,  included  the  115th  Field 
Artillery  and  the  ist  and  2nd  Battalions  of  the  136th  Field  Artillery  under  Colonel 
Berry. 


388  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

*^"The  General  commanding  the  2nd  C.  A.  C.  approves  of  all  propositions  from 
the  General  commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.  dated  a9th  October  1918,  concerning 
dispositions  of  occupation  on  the  front."  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau, 
No.  3453-T/3,  Note  from  the  Chief  of  Staff,  October  30,  1918,  2:119. 

^^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division.  The  Troyon  sector,  supposedly  a  "quiet 
sector,"  was  sometimes  bombarded  heavily  by  the  enemy.  Indeed,  General  Blondlat, 
in  a  letter  to  the  Division  Commander,  dated  October  31,  1918,  stated  that  on  the 
front  of  the  33rd  Division  "  the  enemy  is  using  yellow  cross  shells  (yperite)  to  make 
concentrations  from  2,000  to  6,000  rounds  against  the  localities  in  the  Woevre  plain." 

*^Operations  Reports,  33rd  Division,  particularly  those  of  October  29,  30,  31, 
November  i,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  2:475-476. 

"  During  the  remainder  of  the  period  to  and  including  November  8th,  the  brigade 
was  employed  in  active  patrolling  and  raiding  in  the  front  of  the  lines,  capturing 
prisoners,  materiel,  and  gaining  identification,"  Chronological  Record  of  Events;  65th 
Infantry  Brigade,  2:6oi.  "While  the  Troyon  Sector,  which  was  occupied  from  October 
23rd  to  November  8th,  inclusive,  was  presumed  to  be  a  quiet  sector,  enemy  shelling 
was  heavy.  Due  to  the  strong  enemy  defences  consisting  of  wire  entanglement,  flooded 
areas,  pill  boxes,  etc.,  patrolling  and  raiding  were  very  difficult  but  were  so  maintained 
that  No  Man's  Land  belonged  to  this  brigade."  Report  of  the  Commanding  General,. 
65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:634. 

"The  operations  of  the  130th  Infantry  from  25th  October,  1918,  to  the  nth 
November  191 8,  consisted  in  developing  the  Outpost  system  in  the  Connecticut  Sub- 
sector  and  strengthening  the  Defense  system  by  digging  trenches  and  wiring  positions, 
also  digging  machine  gun  emplacements  and  alternative  positions,  following  the  plan 
laid  down  in  the  Defense  Scheme  for  Troyon-Chaillon  Sector  by  Hdqrs.  33rd  Division, 
4th  November,  1918.  Also  active  patrolling  in  order  to  gain  contact  with  the  enemy 
and  conducting  raids  on  strong  points  of  the  enemy."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:675. 

"Oct.  26th  to  Nov.  4th.  Patrol  operations  in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Hilaire  and  War- 
ville  Woods."     Operations  of  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  3:28. 

"The  occupation  of  this  sector  was  marked  by  unusual  patrol  activity.  In  com- 
pliance with  orders  contact  was  had  with  the  enemy  nightly  and  identification  secured 
on  every  part  of  the  line.  Our  combat  patrols  continually  harassed  the  enemy  and 
drove  them  to  the  rear.  Our  patrols  penetrated  the  town  of  St.  Hilaire,  Bois  de  War- 
ville,  Bois  les  Epines  and  southern  edges  of  Butgn6ville.  During  the  occupation  of  the 
line  twenty-nine  prisoners  were  secured."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd 
Infantry,  3:157. 

"^^II  Army,  U.  S.,  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  No.  796-T/2,  Secret,  urgent 
letter  from  Chief  of  Staff  to  the  General  commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U...S.,  October  27, 
1918,  2:117. 

^*II  Army,  U.  S.,  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff, unnumbered.  Secret  letter  from 
the  Chief  of  Staff  to  the  General  Commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.,  October  28,  1918, 
2:ii8. 

^"ind  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  3442  T/3,  Confirmation  of 
telephone  message  sent  the  twenty-eighth  at  23  hours  15,  dated  October  29,  1918, 
2:1 18. 


NOTES  389 

^^"  Following  the  extensive  attack  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  salient 
north  of  St  Mihiel,  enemy  activity  on  this  immediate  front  seems  to  have  gradually 
lessened  and  at  the  time  of  our  occupation  there  appeared  to  be  some  question  as  to 
where  the  enemy's  lines  were  located  with  suspicions  in  some  quarters  that  he  had 
withdrawn  from  the  immediate  front.  The  only  indication  of  occupation  were  a  few 
shells  sent  over  every  night  apparently  searching  battery  positions,  and  an  occasional 
aeroplane  making  observation  in  the  day  time.  In  consequence  of  this  uncertainty  it 
was  determined  that  patrols  should  be  sent  well  forward  until  they  came  in  contact 
with  the  enemy,  identification  secured  and  No  Man's  Land  covered  in  an  aggressive 
manner  preventing  enemy  reconnaissance  or  activity  except  in  force.  To  that  end 
strong  patrols  went  out  nightly,  later,  when  contact  was  obtained  raids  were  organized, 
soon  clearing  up  the  situation  and  resulting  in  the  capture  of  a  number  of  prisoners  and 
gaining  additional  territory."  131st  Infantry  Operations,  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d'  Har- 
ville,  and  Bertaucourt  Farm,  3:1 17. 

^^Defensive  Zone  of  St.  Mihiel,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  3.426-T/3,  Secret  Annex 
No.  7  to  Chapter  II  of  the  Plan  of  Defense,  Defense  of  the  2nd  Position,  dated  October 
27,  1918,  3:115. 

^^  Above,  1:177. 

^^Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  October  27,  to  6  a.m.  October  28, 
1918,  2:474. 

^^"In  compliance  with  written  orders  from  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  26th  October,  1918, 
the  battalion  moved  to  Chaillon  the  afternoon  of  the  26th  inst.  staging  the  night  of 
26/27th  October  and  relieving  elements  of  the  39th  French  Division  the  night  of  the 
27/28th  October."     Report  of  Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:559. 

^^Operation  Report,  33rd  Division,  October  29,  191 8.  Report  of  the  Operations 
Officer,  131st  Infantry. 

*^"i  patrol  of  the  132nd  I.  R.  U.  S.  (i  officer,  23  men)  from  19  hours  to  2  hours 
encountered  and  put  to  flight  an  enemy  detachment  of  about  40  men  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Bois  des  Hautes  Epines  and  of  the  Bois  de  Warville  (28-40),  fusilade  and 
fight  with  grenades,  i  man  wounded."  Report  from  the  28th  October  (12  h.)  to  the 
29th  October,  1918  (12  h.),  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  T/3, 
the  29th  October,  1918. 

"  132nd  Inf.  sent  out  patrol  at  7  p.m  returning  at  2  a.m.  This  patrol  consisted  of 
23  men  and  i  officer.  During  the  course  of  their  reconnaissance  they  encountered  an 
enemy  patrol  of  40  men,  who  flanked  them  and  opened  fire  with  rifles,  hand  grenades 
and  rifle  grenades.  Our  patrol  returned  the  fire  and  drove  them  off.  One  of  our  men 
was  slightly  wounded  but  was  brought  in  by  the  patrol.  It  is  believed  the  enemy  still 
remains  in  the  vicinity  of  Bois  les  Htes  Epines  and  Bois  de  Warville.  It  seems  that 
the  enemy  is  quite  anxious  to  protect  these  places  from  a  frontal  attack,  as  the  patrol 
encountered  was  apparently  a  well  protected  working  party  preparing  M.  G.  emplace- 
ments of  a  strongly  fortified  character.  Plenty  of  material  was  in  evidence  in  the 
vicinity  and  minor  positions  unoccupied  were  noticed  further  south  of  this  position. 
Trip  wires  with  empty  tin  cans  attached  to  warn  approach,  are  placed  across  the  main 
roads  and  paths."     Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  October  29,  1918. 

^^Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  from  6  a.m.  October  29,  to  6  a.m.  October 
30,  1918,  2:475. 

^^Special  Order  No.  132,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  October  29,  19 18. 


390  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^"Daylight  reconnoitering  patrol  consisting  of  two  officers  and  one  other  rank 
reconnoitered  enemy  positions  in  Trench  de  Moulin  de  Saulx  returning  with  information 
that  trenches  were  occupied.  Combat  patrol  of  one  officer  and  32  other  ranks  attempt- 
ed to  raid  on  positions  reconnoitered  during  the  afternoon,  but  found  trenches  occu- 
pied."   Operations  Report,  130th  Infantry,  October  31,  1918. 

^^"4  patrols  [were]  sent  to  gain  contact  with  the  enemy;  one  of  them  (i  officer,  19 
men  of  the  132nd  I.  R. — 19  hours  30 — i  hour  in  the  morning)  advanced  as  far  as  500 
meters  S.  O.  of  St.  Hilaire  and  captured  five  prisoners  (51st  K.  u.  K.)  who  made  no 
resistance.  One  reconnaissance  by  day  (2  officers,  one  N.  C.  O.  of  the  130th  I.  R.  U.  S.) 
toward  Hill  233  was  fired  at  in  the  region  of  the  Bois  Carre.  At  night  a  strong  recon- 
naissance (2  officers,  23  men  of  the  130th)  advanced  into  the  region  south  of  the  Bois 
Carre;  nothing  to  report.  A  patrol  of  the  132nd  I.  R.  U.  S.  to  the  north  of  Doncourt 
was  stopped  by  a  violent  fire  of  gas  shells."  Report  from  October  29  (12  hours)  to 
October  30,  191 8  (12  hours),  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  3459 
T/3,  October  30,  191 8. 

^^Ibid.;  Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  for  the  same  period,  dated  October  30, 
1918. 

^^Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  October  30,  to  6  a.m.  October  31, 
1918,  2:475. 

^^2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  3453-T/3,  Note,  October  30, 
I918,  2:119. 

®*"3oth  October,  1918.  Co.  A  moved  from  reserve  in  Bois  de  Ranzieres  to  main 
line  of  resistance  in  sub-sector  'Connecticut'.  Disposition  of  other  companies  un- 
changed. Our  operations  nil.  Co.  D  carried  on  training.  Casualties:  None." 
Operations  of  the  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:23. 

®®"In  accordance  with  memorandum  from  C.  G.  66th  Inf.  Brigade,  dated  29th 
October,  this  battalion  was  relieved  by  Company  'D,'  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
the  night  3o/3ist  October  proceeding  to  Camp  South  Thillombois."  Report  of 
Operations,  I22d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  2:559. 

^^"  Nothing  of  moment  transpired  during  the  occupation  of  these  positions.  No 
suitable  positions  were  prepared  and  a  general  re-organization  of  the  sector  was  made, 
and  on  the  night  of  Oct.  3oth-3ist,  the  re-organization  took  place  and  the  machine 
gun  positions  of  the  sub-sector  were  re-arranged  and  taken  over  by  Cos.  B,  C  &  D, 
Co.  A  being  placed  in  reserve.  Here  these  units  remained,  with  Battalion  Headquar- 
ters at  Longeau  Farm,  until  the  operation  of  November  loth-i  ith.  16  gas  casualties 
in  'B'  Company  at  Avillers."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  3:190. 

^^"2  daylight  patrols  were  ordered  and  i  night  patrol.  Daylight  patrol  sent  out 
to  reconnoiter  Trench  du  Moulin  de  Saulx.  Engaged  the  enemy,  who  were  found  to 
be  strongly  protected.  Hand  grenades  and  rifles  were  used  against  the  position  with 
the  result  that  2  of  the  enemy  are  known  to  be  killed  and  it  was  thought  that  other 
casualties  were  inflicted.  Our  casualties  consisted  of  i  man  slightly  wounded.  The 
remaining  patrols  did  not  close  with  the  enemy."  Operations  Report,  33rd  Division, 
12  o'clock  October  30,  1918,  to  12  o'clock  October  31,  1918. 

^^2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  No.  i6o8i/c,  October  31,  1918,  2:120. 

^"As  a  matter  of  fact,  so  heavy  were  the  casualties  in  Company  D,  I30tb  Infantry, 


NOTES  391 

resulting  from  gas  in  the  area  of  Fresnes  that  it  had  to  be  relieved  from  the  outpost 
position  that  day  by  Company  C  of  the  same  regiment.  Operations  Report,  130th 
Infantry. 

'^Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  October  31,  to  6  a.m.  November  i, 
1918,  2:476. 

■^G-3  Orders  No.  60,  Headquarters,  Second  Army,  October  30,  1918;  21.10  hours, 
transmitted  with  a  notification  annexed  by  Ilnd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd 
Bureau,  No.  3466  T/3,  dated  October  31,  1918,  2:iig. 

^^Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  October  31,  191 8. 

■^^"Oct.  31,  1918.  Warning  'Alerte  Generale'  received  at  10:30  a.m.  Regiment 
ready  to  move  at  11:00  a.m.  and  held  in  readiness  until  5:30  p.m.  when  'Recall'  was 
sounded.     No  change."     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:649. 

^"Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  12:00  o'clock  October  30, 191 8,  to  12:00  o'clock 
October  31,  1918. 

^^Operations  Report,  P.C.  Pilot  [code  word  for  the  130th  Infantry],  November  i, 
1918. 

'■^"The  suspected  post  at  49.5 — 55.1  is  undoubtedly  occupied,  as  patrols  yesterday 
noticed  movement  from  this  point.  A  patrol  with  the  mission  to  patrol  territory  south 
and  east  of  St.  Hilaire  left  Wadonville  at  9:30  p.m.  and  proceeded  east  and  north  of  St. 
Hilaire  to  approximately  52.5-56.0.  From  there  to  outskirts  of  Butgneville;  thence 
south  passing  within  100  yards  of  Hois  de  Warville,  and  back  to  our  lines.  No  enemy 
were  seen,  no  enemy  patrols  were  met."  Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  12:00 
o'clock  October  31,  to  12:00  o'clock  November  i,  1918.  Also  P.  C.  Pancake  [codeword 
for  the  132nd  Infantry],  Daily  Operations  Report  for  twenty-four  hours  ending  twelve 
o'clock  noon  November  i,  1918. 

^^General  Orders  No.  140,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  October  30, 1918. 
^^Training  Circular  No.  189  prescribed  the  reports  to  be  made  immediately  after 
heavy  bombardment  with  mustard  gas.     Training  Circular  No.  190  dealt  with  the 
development  of  noncommissioned  officers  as  platoon  leaders,  drill  schedules,  recon- 
naissances, liaison,  handling  of  3-inch  Stokes  mortars,  etc. 

^See  above,  1:184.  Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  A.M.November  i,  to 
6  A.M.  November  2,  191 8,  2:476. 

^^"  I  Austro-Hungarian,  who  was  on  sentry  duty  at  Bois  de  Warville,  left  his  post 
and  came  to  the  American  lines  in  the  vicinity  of  Woel  and  surrendered.  He  is  from 
the  64th  K.  u.  K.  Regt.,  35th  A.  H.  Division.  He  also  states  that  the  63rd  and  64th 
K.  u.  K.  Regts.  were  relieved  in  the  line  by  German  troops. 

"  I  Patrol  from  the  66th  Brigade  reconnoitered  as  far  north  as  Bois  de  Warville, 
but  could  find  no  signs  of  the  enemy."  Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  12  o'clock 
November    i,   to   12   o'clock   November   2,  191 8. 

*^"Two  combat  patrols  were  sent  out  during  the  day  with  instructions  to  obtain 
identifications.  The  patrol  from  the  ist  Battalion  failed  to  close  with  the  enemy. 
The  3rd  Battalion  patrol,  consisting  of  2  officers,  a  detachment  of  10  men  from  battal- 
ion headquarters,  a  detachment  of  10  men  from  the  engineers,  and  one  platoon  was 
ordered  to  take  the  post  located  as  49.5—55.1,  under  cover  of  darkness,  and  then  pro- 
ceed to  the  edge  of  the  woods  at  48.9—55.5,  where  they  would  lie  in  wait  until  daylight, 
when  the  enemy  position  at  58.8-55.5  would  be  occupied  and  consolidated.     Full 


392  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

reports  of  this  patrol  have  not  yet  been  received."  Operations  Report,  130th  Infantry, 
November  2,  1918. 

^"  'N.  C.  O's  from  each  Co.  Btry.  Troops  or  corresponding  unit  will  be  selected  and 
required  to  act  as  comdrs.  of  platoons  or  corresponding  units.  This  arrangement  is 
made  in  order  to  develop  leadership,  insure  availability  of  extra  commanders  in  case 
of  casualties  and  to  ascertain  prospective  candidates  for  the  officers'  training  schools.'" 
Journal  of  Operations,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  November  2,  to  6  a.m.  November  3, 
1918,     2:477. 

^^Daily  Operation  Report  for  twenty-four  hours  ending  1 2  o'clock  noon  November  3 , 
1918,  132nd  Infantry. 

^^Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  12  o'clock  November  2,  to  12  o'clock  Novem- 
ber 3,  1918. 

^^Daily  Operations  Report,  Headquarters  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  November 
2,  1918. 

^''Ibid.,  November  3,  191 8. 

^^Report  from  November  2  (i2h.)  to  November  3, 191 8  (i2h.),  2nd  Colonial  Army 
Corps,  3rd  Bureau,  Staff,  No.  3390T/3,  dated  November  3,  1918. 

^*Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^"  I.  Issued  Training  Circular  No.  191.  CaUing  attention  of  unit  Commanders 
responsible  for  transportation  to  Par,  III,  General  Orders  No.  80,  c.s.,  G.  H.  Q., 
A.  E.  F. 

"2.  Rendered  usual  situation  and  operation  reports  to  Corps  and  G.  H.  Q." 
Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  November  3  to  6  a.m.  November  4,  191 8, 

2:477. 

^^Company  C,  130th  Infantry,  in  outpost  position  in  Centre  of  Resistance  Provi- 
dence was  relieved  by  Company  D  at  10:40  p.m.  Company  D,  132nd  Infantry, 
relieved  Company  C  of  that  same  regiment. 

^^"No  contact  with  enemy.  Enemy  wire  from  51.7—55.3  to  51.9—54.4  [i.e. 
south  of  St.  Hiliare  along  road  toward  Doncourt]  in  poor  condition.  No  new  works 
found.  Trenches  reconnoitered  along  eastern  side  of  St.  Hilaire  road  near  village, 
very  old  and  not  recently  used. 

"  Nothing  heard  of  the  enemy  during  the  whole  evening.     No  movement  whatever 
within  the  area  of  St.  Hilaire  and  Butgneville.     Patrolled  carefully  this  area  with  no 
information  of  enemy.     Encountered  no  enemy  patrol  or  enemy  outposts  in  this 
sector.     Flares  were  seen  coming  from  N.  E.  of  Bois  de  Harville  and  from  vicinity  of 
Marcheville.     Enemy  gun  (77-millimeter)  fired  several  rounds  from  nearby  positions, 
apparently  in  Maizeray.     Reported  M.  G.  emplacement  at  51.1 — 54.9  [i.  e.  on  the 
road  from  St.  Hilaire  to  Wadonville  and  midway  between  these  two  places]  was 
investigated  and  found  not  to  exist."     Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  12  o'clock 
November  3,  to  12  o'clock  November  4,  1918. 
^^Ibid. 
^*"i.     Issued  Confidential  Memorandum  No.  34.    Regarding  prevention  of  enemy 
observation,  and  proper  protection  by  camouflage. 
*'2.     Issued  Training  Circular  No.  192,  'Casualties  caused  by  Mustard  Gas.' 
"2-     Sent  records  of  students  attending  I  Corps  Schools  to  various   organizations. 
"4.     Letter  to  C.  G.  66th  Inf.  Brigade  and  C.  O.  122nd  M.  G.Bn. 

'Two  Platoons  of  Inf.  and  2  Sections  of  Machine  Guns  will  be  detailed  as 


NOTES  393 

re-inforcement  garrisons  at  Fort  du  Camp  des  Romains  (1-1/2  kilometers 
south  of  St.  Hilaire),  1-1/2  Platoons  of  Infantry  and  2  sections  of  Machine 
Guns  will  be  detailed  as  re-inforcement  garrisons  at  Fort  Des  Paroches.' 
"5.  Rendered  usual  situation  and  operation  reports  to  Corps  and  G.  H.  Q." 
Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  November  4,  to  6  a.m.  November 
5,  1918,  2:477. 

^^General  Blondlat  commanding  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps  to  the  General 
commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.  (2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No. 
3505  T/3,  November  4,  1918,  2:130. 

^^The  2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  relieved  the  3rd  Battalion  in  C.  R.  Augusta 
at  midnight. 

^•^"Our  day  and  night  patrols  operating  over  our  entire  front  gained  contact  with 
the  enemy  at  all  points.  M.  G.  fire  was  heard  to  west  and  northwest  of  St.  Hilaire. 
2  patrols  report  hearing  noises  in  St.  Hilaire  from  horses  and  wagons.  Tank  trap  or 
gun  emplacement  about  15  feet  square  found  at  52.2—56.3  at  52.6—56.2  an  enemy 
outpost  was  encountered,  3  of  the  enemy  were  killed  including  i  officer,  17  taken 
prisoners.  These  men  were  in  small  dugouts,  no  trenches,  in  front  of  which  was  a 
single  strand  of  wire  in  poor  condition.  The  Bois  Warville  and  Bois  des  Epines  were 
found  strongly  held  by  the  enemy.  Patrol  was  fired  on  by  M.  G.  when  the  western 
edge  of  Bois  Warville  was  reached.  Patrol  skirted  southern  edge  of  Bois  Warville  and 
Bois  des  Epines  and  found  strong  wire  of  semi-apron  type  about  7  feet  deep  and  4  feet 
high.  6  machine  guns  at  approximately  54.8 — 53.5  opened  fire  on  our  patrol.  Bois 
de  la  Hte.  Voye  and  La  Haie  Marechal  were  penetrated  and  all  surrounding  country 
covered.  No  signs  of  enemy  were  seen,  or  signs  of  recent  occupation.  No  wire  was 
found  in  Bois  de  la  Hte  Voye  and  a  little  wire  in  La  Haie  Marechal.  Patrols  on  extreme 
right  penetrated  area  south  of  Jonville  and  found  enemy  in  fairly  strong  position  at 
57.5—52.5  from  which  fire  was  opened  by  3  machine  guns  and  supporting  riflemen. 
Prisoners  were  identified  as  belonging  to  439th  Infantry,  94th  Inf.  Division."  Opera- 
tions Report,  33rd  Division,  12  o'clock  November  4,  to  12  o'clock  November  5,  1918. 

^^See  2:623. 

^^G-2  Bulletin,  General  Headquarters,  A.  E.  F.,  November  4,  191 8. 

^'"'See  2:129. 

^''^Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  November  5,  to  6  a.m.  November  6, 
1918,  2:478. 

^°^"2ND  C.  A.  C,  At  the  H.  Q.,  the  5th  November,  191 8. 

Staff 

3RD  Bureau  Note. 

No.  3.512-T/3 

By  order  of  the  General  Commanding-in-Chief  the  General  commanding  the  2nd 
Colonial  Corps  ceases  to  exercise  the  command  of  the  sector  of  St.  Mihiel  and  takes 
the  command  of  the  sector  of  Regret. 

The  command  of  the  sector  of  St.  Mihiel  is  exercised,  beginning  the  5th  November 
at  18  hours,  by  General  Hellot,  Commanding  the  17th  Army  Corps. 

The  elements  not  embodied  with  divisions  remain  in  place,  until  further  order, 
under  the  orders  of  the  General  commanding  the  sector  of  St.  Mihiel. 

By  order.    The  Chief  of  Staff, 

G.  AiN." 


394  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^"^The  note  just  quoted  reached  the  message  centreof  the  33rd  Division  at  8:20  a.m. 
on  November  6,  191 8.  The  original  orders  contemplated  the  transfer  of  the  Head- 
quarters and  Staff  of  the  17th  French  Army  Corps  from  Regret  to  St.  Mihiel  and  those 
of  the  and  Colonial  Army  Corps  from  St.  Mihiel  to  Regret.  At  noon  on  November  4 
this  was  modified  by  orders  directing  General  Claudel  to  remain  at  Regret  and  to 
assume  command  of  the  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps  upon  its  arrival  there,  vice  General 
Blondlat  who  had  been  sent  to  command  at  Lille.  The  vacancy  thus  created  in  the 
command  of  the  17th  Army  Corps  was  filled  by  the  assignment  to  that  position  of 
General  Hellot,  former  chief  of  staflF  of  Marshal  de  Castelnau.  Diary  of  the  Division 
Adjutant;  this  information  was  given  to  the  Division  Adjutant  at  Regret  on  Novem- 
ber 4,  by  General  Claudel  himself. 

^"^Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  12  o'clock  November  5,  to  12  o'clock  Novem- 
ber 6,  1918, 

^*'^"  Resistance  to  our  patrols  disclosed  the  fact  that  St.  Hilaire  is  strongly  held  by 
the  enemy.  Rau  du  Moutru  is  from  6  to  10  (yards)  wide  in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Hilaire 
but  very  shallow.  Ground  in  vicinity  of  creek  soft  and  swampy.  One  of  our  patrols 
penetrated  woods  surrounding  draw  between  Bois  Warville  and  Bois  des  Epines  for 
about  50  yards  in  four  or  five  places.     No  signs  of  the  enemy  seen. 

"A  combat  patrol  consisting  of  one  company  left  Saulx-en-Woevre  at  22:30  hour 
and  proceeded  in  the  direction  of  the  small  woods  at  48.9 — 55.5  [i.e.  at  eastern  terminus 
of  the  Tranchee  du  Moulin  de  Saulx].  The  terrain  in  this  direction  is  covered  with 
ditches  shell  holes  and  very  thick  belts  of  wire  rendering  movement  extremely  difficult. 
The  company  commander,  realizing  the  conditions,  ordered  the  patrol  to  return.  The 
patrol  was  unsuccessful  in  its  mission."    Itid. 

106"p^j.j.qJ  Qf  J  officer  and  26  O.  R.  left  Fresnes  at  12: 10  hour  and  proceeded  in  the 
direction  of  the  Chateau  d'Aulnois.  About  ^00  yards  north,  the  point  of  the  patrol 
was  fired  upon  by  two  machine-guns  and  one  37  mm.  gun.  The  point  of  the  patrol 
consisting  of  9  men  was  cut  off  by  an  enemy  patrol  and  captured.  The  main  body  of 
the  patrol  was  forced  to  return."  Operations  Report,  130th  Infantry,  November  6, 
1918. 

^^^"Nov.  5,  19 1 8.  No  change  [in  schedule  of  training].  Officers  assembled  at 
Regimental  Headquarters  and  were  given  a  lecture  by  Colonel  Myer  treating  on  the 
robbing  of  enemy  dead  and  prisoners,  the  seriousness  of  such  an  offense,  etc.,  this  was 
in  turn  delivered  to  every  man  in  the  Regiment."  Chronological  Record  of  Events, 
129th  Infantry,  2:649. 

lO^See  2:624. 

^''^"  Night  of  November  5th  and  6th  the  Third  Battalion  moved  out  of  Chaillon 
and  relieved  the  first  Battalion  of  the  132nd  Infantry  at  CR  St  Maurice.  The  Second 
Battalion  moved  out  of  Deuxnouds  night  of  5-6th  and  relieved  the  Third  Battalion, 
132nd  Infantry,  at  C.  R.  Hannonville."  131st  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire-Bois 
d'  Harville  and  Bertaucourt  Farm,  3:116. 

^^"Summary  of  Intelligence,  No.  52,  33rd  Division  (G2),  November  6,  1918. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

^Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  November 6,  to  6  a.m.  November  7, 
1918,  2:478. 

^"On  November  7th  the  3rd  Battalion  was  disposed  as  follows: — Battalion  Head- 
quarters, Company  I  and  Company  K  were  located  in  the  valley  1000  yards  east  of 
P.  C.  Marengo  in  reserve  of  the  First  Battalion,  which  was  holding  the  front  line  in 
C.  R.  Providence,  in  front  of  Chateau  d'Aulnois.  Companies  L  and  M  were  1000 
yards  west  of  Combres  Hill  in  reserve  of  the  Second  Battalion  who  were  holding  a  line 
of  observation  in  C.  R.  Augusta.  .  .  .  Companies  I  and  K  moved  up  to  support  an 
attack  on  Chateau  d'Aulnois  by  the  First  Battalion  on  the  night  of  November 
6th/7th,  returning  to  reserve  position  about  noon  7th  November."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:699;  also  Operations  Report, 
12  o'clock  November  6,  to  12  o'clock  November  7,  191 8,  issued  by  the  P.  C.  of  the 
33rd  Division  on  November  7,  191 8. 

^"6th  November,  191 8.  Orders  received  from  P.  C.  65th  Infantry  Brigade, 
covering  raid  by  two  companies  of  the  130th  Infantry  on  the  Chateau  et  fme.  d'Aul- 
nois. One  M.  G.  Company  123  M.  G.  Bn.  to  assist  with  barrage  and  harassing  fire. 
Co.  D  designated  to  back  up  the  raid.  Moved  from  reserve  positions  in  Bois  de 
Ranzieres  to  Fresnes-en-Woevre  to  take  up  positions  for  barrage  fire  on  road,  trench 
and  strong  point  north-east  of  Fme.  d'Aulnois  and  harassing  fire  on  Pintheville  and 
Riaville.  All  guns  in  place  before  daylight.  Casualties:  Wounded,  slight  i." 
Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:24. 

^"  Two  patrols  consisting  of  i  officer  and  4  men  each  proceeded  in  direction  of  wood 
at  48.7—55.5,  following  the  trench  du  Moulin  de  Saulx.  No  resistance  was  met  until 
after  the  patrol  had  entered  the  woods  when  an  attempt  was  made  to  ambush  the 
party  [but]  without  success.  All  attempts  to  cut  the  patrol  off  met  with  failure. 
Before  reinforcements  arrived,  the  patrol  had  succeeded  in  killing  12  and  capturing  i 
of  the  enemy.  Our  party  returned  without  casualties."  Operations  Report,  130th 
Infantry,  November  7,  1918. 

^"Patrol  No.  i — Night  of  Nov.  6-7;  Two  officers  and  40  other  ranks  passes 
outpost  near  Wadonville  toward  Butgneville  along  the  stream  northeast  to  east  of  St. 
Hilaire.  Patrol  left  at  6  p.m.  returned  2:30  a.m.  Saw  no  enemy  but  observed  signs 
of  recent  occupation  in  trenches  near  St.  Hilaire."  131st  Infantry  Operations.  St. 
Hilaire — Bois  d'  Harville  and  Bertaucourt  Farm,  3:117. 

^"The  troops  on  our  immediate  front  are  mainly  machine  gunners.  The  roads 
and  the  entrances  through  the  barbed  wire  are  very  strongly  protected.  The  terrain 
between  Saulx  and  Marcheville  Is  very  difficult  to  pass  over.  There  appears  to  have 
been  no  intention  of  the  enemy  to  withdraw."  Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  12 
o'clock  November  6,  to  12  o'clock  November  7,  1918. 

^"In  the  night  of  6-7th  the  First  Battalion  located  at  Deuxnouds  relieved  the 
Second  Battalion  132nd  Infantry  at  C  R  Vieville  and  the  131st  M.  G.  [Company] 
moved  to  Longeau  Farm."  131st  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d'  Harville 
and  Bertaucourt  Farm,  3:1 16. 

*"Nov.  7-9th.  Brigade  reserve  in  Troyon  Sector."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:158. 

^Operations  Report,  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  November  7,  1918. 

395 


396  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

'"Records  of  the  G-2  Office,  Headquarters  33rd  Division. 

^^"  Operation  on  Chateau  d'Aulnois:  Supporting  65th  Infantry  Brigade — 130th 
Infantry  Regiment. — executed  at  5:45  November  7th.  The  outline  of  artillery  support 
desired  given  in  order  B.  A.  1228 — 65th  Infantry  Brigade.  The  following  batteries 
all  under  command  of  Colonel  Lea  were  used  in  this  operation:  114th  F.  A. — A,  B,  C, 
E,  F.  113th  F.  A.— A,  B,  C.  115th  F.  A.— A,  D,  E,  F.  The  missions  were:  (A) 
Preliminary  Bombardment.  (B)  Box  Barrage.  (C)  Rolling  Barrage.  (D)  Smoke 
Screen.  (E)  Covering  Fire. — Heavy  (F)  Neutralization  and  Interdiction — Corps 
Artillery."  Operations  of  Divisional  Artillery,  33rd  Division,  U.  S.,  Troyon  Sector, 
55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3*-295. 

As  has  been  seen,  Battery  C,  1 13th  Field  Artillery,  was  put  out  of  action  by  enemy 
gas  shells  scoring  direct  hits  in  its  casemates. 

*^"7th  November,  1918.  'D'  day  for  raid  7th  November,  1918.  'H'  hour  5:45 
A.M.  At  the  designated  time  Co.  D  put  down  fire  as  described  under  date  of  6th  Nov. 
191 8  [see  1:395,  n.  5]  76,000  rounds  of  ammunition  expended.  Raid  by  the  two 
companies  of  130th  Infantry  reported  successful.  Co.  D  returned  to  position  in 
reserve  in  Bois  de  Ranzieres  7:45  a.m.  Disposition  of  Companies  A,  B  and  C  unchang- 
ed."    Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:24. 

^'Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  The  officer  captured  at 
the  Chateau  d'Aulnois  declared  that,  when  the  79th  American  Division  was  relieved, 
announcement  was  made  to  the  enemy  forces  that  it  was  to  be  succeeded  by  "green 
troops."  After  witnessing  the  manner  in  which  the  first  few  daylight  patrols  were 
conducted  by  the  33rd  Division,  the  enemy  quickly  realized  that  he  was  confronted  by 
thoroughly  experienced  officers  and  men  and  thereafter  he  was  extremely  wary  in 
consequence.  Statement  made  to  the  author  by  the  Commanding  General  of  the 
65th  Infantry  Brigade. 

^^"  During  the  period  October  25th  to  November  8th,  inclusive,  there  was  constant 
offensive  activity  in  the  nature  of  patrols  and  raids  in  the  front  of  our  line,  the  most 
important  of  which  was  the  raid  made  on  the  Chateau  et  Fme.  d'Aulnois  which  was 
eminently  successful,  all  details  having  been  carefully  worked  out,  including  Machine 
Gun  and  Artillery  barrages  and  harassing  fire.  Everything  worked  out  as  per  schedule 
and  so  far  as  could  be  ascertained  every  individual  enemy  in  this  Strong  Point  was 
either  killed  or  captured  by  the  raiding  party.  This  was  a  two-company  raid  by  the 
130th  Infantry  who  accounted  for  9  of  the  enemy  killed  and  one  officer  and  21  Other 
Ranks  taken  prisoner,  5  of  the  prisoners  being  wounded."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
General,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:6oi. 

'^Operations  Report  from  12  o'clock  November  6,  to  12  o'clock  November  7,  191 8, 
P.  C,  33rd  Division,  November  7,  1918;  Operations  Report,  Headquarters  55th  Field 
Artillery  Brigade,  November  7,  191 8.  During  this  raid  the  divisional  artillery  fired 
5,155  rounds  of  75-millimeter  shells  and  806  rounds  of  155-millimeter  shells. 

'®"The  morning  of  November  7th  the  various  units  of  the  131st  Inf.  were  located 
as  follows:  Headquarters  Bois  de  la  Montagne  (48.2 — 48.6)  First  Battalion  at  C  R 
Vieville,  Second  Battalion  at  C  R  Hannonville,  Third  Battalion  at  C  R  St  Maurice 
and  Machine  Gun  Co.  at  Longeau  Farm.  The  position  was  defensive  with  centers  of 
resistance  on  the  line  Hannonville — St  Maurice — Vieville.  Patrol  zone,  the  terrain 
between  the  outpost  zone  and  the  enemy.""  131st  Infantry  Operations.  St.Hilaire — 
Bois  d'  Harville  and  Bertaucourt  Farm,  3:116. 


NOTES  397 

^^"  Patrol  No.  2 — Two  officers  and  40  other  ranks  leaving  4  a.m.  and  returning 
8  A.M.  the  7th  of  November.  Reconnoitered  Bois  de  Warville  and  Bois  des  Epines. 
Returned  on  account  of  fog  clearing  up,  located  no  enemy  in  woods  reconnoitered. 

"Patrol  No.  3 — One  Officer  and  25  other  ranks  left  at  11  a.m.,  returning  at  dark 
November  7th,  route  to  500  yards  southwest  of  south  end  of  Bois  las  Epines,  thence 
through  the  village  of  Doncourt  thence  north  about  100  yards  returning  without 
encountering  the  enemy."  131st  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire-Bois  d'Harville 
and  Bertaucourt  Farm,  3:117-118. 

**Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  a.m.  November  7,  to  6a.m.  Novembers, 
1918,  2:478, 

^^See  2:131.  These  dispositions  were  largely  based  upon  the  secret  instructions 
from  the  Chief  of  Staff,  Second  American  Army,  to  the  general  commanding  the  17th 
Army  Corps,  dated  November  6,  191 8,  and  transmitted  on  November  7  to  the  Com- 
mander of  the  33rd  Division  for  execution  (2nd  A.  U.  S.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd 
Bureau,  No.  819-S/3).  This  order  prescribed  that  each  brigade  be  required  to  keep 
"on  hand  at  all  times  a  completed  plan  for  a  raid  which  can  be  executed  on  short 
notice."  Such  raids  were  to  be  confined  to  one  battalion,  the  artillery  and  machine 
guns  cooperating,  and  the  remaining  units  were  to  be  used  to  support  and  protect  the 
battalion  engaged. 

'^""The  Bn.  was  stationed  in  Recourt  until  gth  Nov.,  191 8,  the  time  being  spent  in 
training."     Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:655. 

"Tilly-sur-Meuse  where  a  drill  schedule  was  followed  until  November  9th." 
Second  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  Operations,  October  16  to  December  7,  1918, 
2:658. 

"  (Brigade  Reserve)  Oct.  25th  to  Nov.  9th  inclusive.  Received  replacements, 
reorganized  the  Battalion  and  trained."  Narrative  of  Operations  of  the  3rd  Battalion, 
129th  Infantry,  2:661. 

^4n  quoting  this  telegram,  G-^  of  the  33rd  Division  attached  the  following  para- 
graph: "The  above  is  interpreted  to  mean  that  the  Parliamentarians  may  be  brought 
back  as  far  as  Division  P.  C.  and  no  further.  This  message  will  be  confirmed  by 
telegram,  but  is  furnished  so  that  the  information  may  be  sent  to  lower  echelons  at 
once." 

^^I7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  831-S/3,  November  8,  1918,  2:132. 

^^I3ist  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d'  Harville  and  Bertaucourt  Farm, 
3:119. 

Field  Order  No.  47,  P.  C.  Pliable,  November  7,  191 8,  governing  this  raid  will  be 
found  in  3:131. 

^^Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  November  8,  1918. 

^^Operations  Report,  12  o'clock  November  7,  to  12  o'clock  November  8,  1918, 
P.  C.  33rd  Division,  November  8,  1918;  Operations  Report  of  the  130th  Infantry  for 
the  same  period. 

^®"  Patrol  No.  4 — Three  officers  and  40  other  ranks  left  at  11:30  p.m.  November 
7th  and  returned  2:30  a.m.  the  8th.  Route  from  Woel  northeast  along  the  WoeU 
Jonville  Road  to  opposite  Bois  de  la  Hte  Voye  thence  north  to  Bois  la  Vachere 
through  southern  edge  of  wood  and  return.     No  enemy  encountered. 

"Patrol  No.  5 — One  officer  and  40  other  ranks   left   at  3  a.m.    and  returned 


398  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

8  a.m.  the  8th.  Route — Avillers — Doncourt — to  S.  W.  of  Bois  deWarville  at  which 
point  they  captured  i  Sergeant,  i  Corporal,  eight  privates  and  a  light  machine  gun. 
Prior  to  reaching  this  point  German  signals  were  sent  up  from  Bois  de  Warville  which 
were  answered  in  three  or  four  minutes  by  artillery.  Barrage  was  laid  down  250 
yards  west  of  Bois  de  Warville  and  moved  slowly  in  the  direction  of  Doncourt.  Before 
the  patrol  reached  Doncourt  the  Barrage  lifted  and  was  placed  ...  for  forty  minutes. 
Bois  de  Warville  was  found  to  be  heavily  wired.  Patrol  was  fired  upon  by  at  least 
four  machine  guns  from  edge  of  Bois  d'  Harville — road  between  Doncourt  and  Bois 
de  Warville  was  found  to  be  barricaded  in  two  places."  131st  Infantry  Operations. 
St.  Hilaire — Bois  d'Harville  and  Bertaucourt  Farm,  3:118. 

^  Enemy  is  using  increased  amount  of  gas — H.  E.  shells.  Heavy  fire  upon 
Riaville-Maizeray,  amounting  to  light  barrage  followed  our  patrol  operations  last 
night.  Red  single  and  6-star  rockets  and  green  single  star  rockets  were  observed  just 
previous  to  opening  of  this  fire."  Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  54,  12  hours  Novem- 
ber 7,  to  12  hours  November  8,  issued  by  G-2,  33rd  Division,  on  November  8,  iqi8. 
Also  Operations  Pveport,  130th  Infantry,  November  8,  191 8. 

^^"  Battery  F,  114th  F.  A.  bombarded  by  150  m/m  rifles  for  several  hours  during 
night  starting  at  9:15.  Munitions  of  Battery  F  damaged,  degree  undetermined. 
Battery  B,  114th  F.  A.  bombarded  with  105  m/m  from  2:15  to  2:45.  ist  Bn.  Hqrs., 
1 14th  F.  A.  bombarded."  Operations  Report  from  1 2H  November  7,  to  1 2H  Novem- 
ber 8,  191 8.     55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  November  8,  191 8. 

^^"Operations  on  St.  Hilaire.  Supporting  66th  Infantry  Brigade — 131st  Infantry 
Regiment — executed  at  5:45  November  8th.  The  following  batteries  under  command 
of  Colonel  Hard  were  used  in  the  operation.  1 13th  F.  A. — D,  E,  F.  I35rh  F.  A. — A, 
B,C,D,E,F.  ii5thF.A.— A,B,C,E,— Heavy.  136th  F.  A.— E,F.  The  missions 
were:  (A)  Box  Barrage.  (B)  Rolling  Barrage.  (C)  Smoke  Screen.  (D)  Covering 
Fire — Heavy  Artillery."  Operations  of  Divisional  Artillery,  33rd  Division,  U.  S. 
Troyon  Sector.     55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:296. 

^''i3ist  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d'  Harville  and  Bertaucourt 
Farm,  3:122. 

^^Operations  Report  from  12  o'clock  November  7,  to  12  o'clock  November  8,  1918, 
P.  C.  33rd  Division,  November  8,  191 8. 

■""^See  above,  i  :397,  r.  23. 

^^Operations  Report,  33rd  Division,  November  8,  191 8. 

^*2nd  A.  U.  S.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  2nd  Bureau,  No.  3394/2,  dated  November 
8,  1918. 

■'^Training  Circular  No.  194,  announced  that,  in  conforming  with  G-3  Training 
Memorandum  No.  3,  Headquarters  Second  Army,  dated  November  3,  1918,  a  training 
battalion  would  be  established  in  each  brigade  for  the  purpose  of  instruction  in  auto- 
matic rifles,  37-millimeter  guns,  Stokes  mortars,  rifle  grenades,  hand  grenades,  signal- 
ling— including  all  technical  liaison  such  as  projectors,  telephones,  buzzers,  fireworks, 
etc. — and  gas  defense.  Training  Circular  No.  195  made  known  to  the  command  that 
a  course  in  practical  training  in  gas  defense  would  be  inaugurated  on  November  11, 
1918,  at  Camp  Gibraltar.  Announcement  was  made  that  training  periods  of  three 
days  each  would  begin  every  Monday  and  Thursday,  and  the  number  of  men  to  attend 
this  school  from  each  unit  was  prescribed. 

This  annex  was  formulated  in  conformity  with  chapter  XII  of  the  plan. of  defense 


NOTES  399 

for  the  Troyon  sector,  mentioned  in  General  Blondlat's  memorandum  on  November  4. 
See  above,  1:189,  and  2:127. 

^^Journal  of  Operations,  6  a.m.  November  8,  to  6  a.m.  November  9,  1918,  P.  C. 
33rd  Division,  November  9,  191 8,  2:478-479. 

^^See  3:55. 

^^"On  the  morning  of  November  8th  191 8,  Co.  F  Captain  Fred  G.  Givens  com- 
manding, raided  Evergreen  Woods  for  the  purpose  of  driving  out  the  enemy  and 
obtaining  identifications.  The  enemy  was  driven  out  of  the  woods  suffering  casualties 
and  identifications  were  obtained.  Co.  F,  sustained  no  casualties  in  this  fight.  The 
company  then  returned  to  Saulx  and  at  dark  to  their  support  position  as  per  orders. 

"An  outpost  consisting  of  one  officer  (Lt.  D.  W.  Stevenson  of  Co.  E)  and  sixteen 
men  of  Co.  E,  was  immediately  established  in  Evergreen  Woods.  The  enemy  did  not 
try  to  recapture  the  woods  but  continually  shelled  it  and  Saulx. 

"Two  daylight  patrols  were  sent  out  from  Co.  E  to  report  on  the  condition  of 
roads,  one  patrol  proceeding  on  the  road  north  from  Saulx  and  one  on  the  road  north- 
east toward  Bussy.  Bussy  was  found  unoccupied  and  patrol  ordered  to  hold  it.  On 
the  occupation  of  Bussy  the  enemy  were  seen  running  from  a  nearby  dugout  to  a 
concrete  pillbox.  An  attack  was  made  on  this  pillbox  after  dark  but  the  enemy  had 
fled. 

"  Lieut.  Frank  W.  Rawalt  with  one  platoon  of  Co.H,  relieved  the  platoon  of  Co.G, 
at  Saulx  at  dark."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry, 
2:692. 

"Preliminary  to  the  raid  on  Marcheville  a  reconnaissance  was  made  of  the  Ever- 
green Wood  and  position  near  Bussy  which  was  occupied  by  a  strong  patrol  on  8th 
November  1918,  said  patrol  capturing  one  of  the  enemy  and  killing  one  officer  and  13 
other  ranks  of  the  enemy  at  this  point,  maintaining  the  position  and  affording  a 
'jumping-oflF' line  for  the  attack  of  loth  November  191 8."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:675. 

*"" During  night  of  November  7/8th  and  day  of  November  8th  there  was  no 
activity  other  than  our  own  protective  patrols  along  our  outpost  line.  At  about  8.00 
P.M.,  evening  of  8th  November,  order  was  received  from  Regimental  Headquarters  to 
send  two  additional  Companies  to  the  out-post  line  and  Companies  A  and  Cwere  sent 
forward  arriving  at  Fresnes  about  2:00  a.m.  November  9th."  Report  of  the  Command- 
ing Officer,  1st  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:690. 

"On  November  8th  1918  the  Second  Battalion  130th  U  S.  Infantry  was  holding 
the  line  in  front  of  Combres,  France,  in  sub  sector  C.  R.  Augusta,  the  Battalion  P.  C. 
being  near  Combres.  The  outpost  troops  consisted  of  Co.  E,  plus  one  platoon  of  Co. 
G,  all  under  command  of  Capt.  EUacott  of  Co.  G.  The  Outpost  P.  C.  was  in  Saulx- 
en-Woevre.  The  sector  being  covered  by  outposts  and  patrols  to  the  front  of  Saulx. 
Company  G,  less  one  platoon  and  Co.  H  were  holding  the  first  line  of  defense.  Co.  F. 
was  in  support  position."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  130th 
Infantry,  2:692. 

Companies  I  and  K  were  in  the  valley  1,000  yards  east  of  P.  C.  Marengo  acting 
as  the  reserve  for  the  ist  Battalion.  Companies  L  and  M  were  1,000  yards  west  of 
Combres  Hill  as  the  reserve  for  the  2nd  Battalion.  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:699. 

*^"Nov.  8,  1918.  One  officer  and  five  guides  per  Battalion,  all  Company  Com- 


400  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

manders  and  Commanders  of  special  units  reconnoitered  Connecticut  Sub-sector  (held 
by  the  130th  Infantry),  par  Verbal  Order,  Commanding  General,  Sixty-fifth  Infantry 
Brigade.  Otherwise,  no  change."  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry, 
2:649. 

"On  November  8th,  1918  the  ist  Bn.  129th  Inf.,  then  billeted  in  Recourt,  was 
engaged  in  preparation  for  the  relief  of  the  3rd  Bn.,  130th  Inf.,  then  occupying  reserve 
positions  in  the  Bois  des  Eparges  and  Ravine  Genousevaux,  Troyon  Sector.  These 
preparations  were  suspended  about  noon  on  the  same  date  upon  receipt  of  a  warning 
order  from  Regimental  Headquarters  relative  to  a  concentration  of  the  Regiment  at 
Ranzieres."  The  2nd  Battalion  remained  at  Tilly-sur-Meuse,  "where  a  drill  schedule 
was  followed  until  November  9th;"  and  the  3rd  Battalion  "was  at  Ranzieres  (Troyon 
Sector)  engaged  in  the  details  of  reorganizing,  equipping  and  training."  See  Reports 
of  the  Commanding  Officers  of  the  ist,  2nd,  and  3rd  Battalions,  129th  Infantry, 
2:655,  658,662. 

^^Tiiia  wireless  message  was  published  in  a  G-2  Bulletin  on  November  9,  1918. 

^'13 1st  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d'  Harville  and  Bertauccurt 
Farm,  3:118. 

^^"A  second  offensive  was  conducted  on  St.  Hilaire  on  November  9th  with  support 
by  the  Heavy  Artillery  with  one  battery  of  light  artillery  all  under  command  of 
Colonel  Berry.  The  missions  were  to  heavily  bombard  St.  Hilaire  until  H  hour  and 
covering  fire  to  H  plus  60.  Eleven  pieces  from  the  Corps  Artillery  assisted  in  this 
operation."  Operations  of  Divisional  Artillery,  33rd  Division,  U.  S.,  Troyon  Sector, 
55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  3:296. 

*^i3ist  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d' Harville  and  BertaucourtFarm. 
An  interesting  account  of  this  raid  is  contained  in  that  report,  which  will  be  found  in 
3:122. 

''^Confidential  Memorandum  No.  36  required  each  organization  to  submit  a  report 
of  its  operations  from  September  26  to  November  8,  191 8,  inclusive.  Confidential 
Memorandum  No.  37  directed  a  "report  to  G-2  office  by  telephone  of  the  capture  of 
prisoners." 

*^Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Division,  6  4.m.  November  9,  to  6  a.m.  November  10, 
1918,  2:479. 

*^See  2:i2i. 

^*"  Patrol  No.  7 — Consisting  of  two  officers  and  40  other  ranks  went  out  at  11 
A.M.  the  9th  to  4:30  P.M.  the  9th  in  the  direction  of  Bois  de  Warville.  After  the  patrol 
crossed  the  Doncourt— St.  Hilaire  road  and  had  advanced  about  350  meters,  they 
received  machine  gun  fire  from  52.6-54.7  and  rifle  fire  from  52.5—55.5.  Saw  eleven 
enemy.  Drove  the  enemy  into  Butgneville.  A  rocket  was  fired  from  the  south  of  the 
town  which  was  followed  by  machine  gun  fire  in  front  of  the  town  and  toward  the  east 
men  were  seen  moving  at  about  53.0—54.3  which  rocket  was  sent  up  from  that  point. 
Also,  enemy  aeroplane  flew  over  directing  artillery  fire  on  the  patrol.  Barrage  was 
laid  down  in  front  of  St.  Hilaire  for  five  minutes  then  moved  down  the  road  in  the 
direction  of  Doncourt.  By  this  time  machine  gun  fire  was  coming  from  front  and 
flanks  and  patrol  withdrew.     No  captures.     Casualties — no  officers,  3  other  ranks. 

"Patrol  No.  8 — ^Two  officers  and  40  other  ranks  left  Wadonville  at  9:30  p.m. 
Nov.  9th  [and]  returned  2:30  a.m.  November  the  loth.  Proceeded  to  St.  Hilaire 
and  found  the  town  flooded  with  water.     Enemy  patrol  of  eight  men  seen  retreating. 


NOTES  401 

At  52.6—55.5  there  was  an  enemy  post,  enemy  seen  withdrawing  with  light  machine 
gun.  Patrol  received  heavy  fire  from  northeast  direction  beyond  St.  Hilaire — 
Butgneville  Road.  Strong  point  located  at  52.7 — 55.7.  St.  Hilaire  unoccupied  by 
the  enemy.  Machine  gun  emplacements  at  52.3 — 55.3  and  51.9 — 54.9.  Patrol 
withdrew  without  capturing  any  prisoners.  Casualties,  officers — o,  other  ranks — 2." 
131st  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d' Harville  and  Bertaucourt  Farm, 
3:118-119. 

^"Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  on  its  opera- 
tions November  8  to  11,  inclusive,  2:690-691. 

^^See  above,  399,  n.  40. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  November  8 
to  II,  1918,  2:692. 

*'i3ist  Infantry  Operations,  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d' Harville  and  Bertaucourt  Farm, 
3:123. 

"See  3:59. 

*^i3ist  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d'  Harville  and  Bertaucourt  Farm, 
3:122. 

^^Ibid.,  3:124. 

^'^Field  Order  No.  23,  P.  C.  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  November  9,  191 8,  i:oo  p.m., 
3:56. 

"Nov.  7-9th.  Brigade  reserve  in  Troyon  Sector."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:i58. 

^^See  above,  1:^92. 

^^Field  Order  No.  23X,  Headquarters  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  November  9,  191 8, 
10:00  P.M.,  3:60. 

^"Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion, 
131st  Infantry,  telephoned  at  11:30  p.m.  on  November  9:  "You  will  assemble  your 
command  immediately  and  march  to  Doncourt,  Doncourt-Woel  Road  and  be  there  by 
5  A.M.  March  with  full  combat  equipment.  There  will  be  two  battalions  make  an 
attack  on  Bois  d'  Harville  assembling  in  Bois  de  Warville  and  Bois  les  Epines.  Your 
M.  G.  Co.  will  assemble  at  your  present  Bn.  Hq.  and  await  further  orders.  Upon 
arrival  at  Doncourt  of  the  2nd  Bn.  you  will  assemble  command  and  move  forward  into 
the  Bois  les  Epines  and  Bois  Warville,  placing  your  troops  under  cover  awaiting  the 
hour  of  attack.  H  hour  unless  changed  will  be  at  2  p.m.  io-i  1-18.  Co.  A  124th  M.  G. 
Bn.  to  3rd  Bn.  Co.  B  124th  M.  G.  Bn.  to  2nd  Bn.  M.  G.  Cos  will  meet  you  at  Don- 
court.  1st  Bn.  (2  companies  at  Woel  2  companies  in  v/oods  Les  Epines  are  now  clearing 
them  up).  You  will  meet  them  somewhere  upon  arrival  and  take  them  under  your 
command.  At  H  hour  minus  30  minutes,  the  attacking  Bn.  (3rd  Bn.)  will  assemble  in 
Bois  de  Warville  and  the  support  Bn.  (2nd  Bn.)  will  be  in  support  position  in  Bois  les 
Epines.  Complete  orders  will  follow.  See  that  you  have  plenty  of  wire  cutters. 
You  will  be  sure  to  be  in  the  woods  before  there  is  visibility  tomorrow  to  prevent 
shelling." 

Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion, 
131st  Infantry  sent  at  11:30  p.m.;  "You  will  assemble  your  battalion  less  i  Co. 
immediately  and  march  to  Doncourt  and  come  under  the  command  of  Major  Allen. 
You  will  meet  Co.  B,  124th  M.  G.  Bn.  at  Doncourt  who  will  be  attached  to  you,  will 
be  at  Doncourt  at  5  a.m.  loth  Nov.  Your  Company  on  mission  to  hold  St.  Hilaire 
fe) 


402  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

will  continue  its  mission.  Major  Allen's  command  will  be  at  Doncourt,  crossing  on 
Doncourt-Woel  road  at  that  time.  Your  present  M.  G.  Co.  will  assemble  at  your 
present  Bn.  Hq.  and  await  further  orders." 

Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  sent  at  11:45  p.m.  "Give  the  exact  location  of  your  position.  The  regiment 
will  attack  Bois  d'  Harville  tomorrow  morning,  change  your  plans  as  follows.  Clean 
up  Bois  de  Warville  and  Bois  les  Epines  and  hold  the  N.  W.  edges  with  outposts  and 
your  support  immediately  behind  in  depth.  Send  runners  to  Doncourt  to  meet  the 
other  Bns.  Rest  of  the  force  will  meet  you  in  the  woods  about  dawn.  Acknowledge 
quickly." 

Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  telephoned  at  11:45  p>m.;  "You  will  have  your  companies  A  &  B  goto 
Doncourt  and  meet  me  or  my  representative  at  5  a.m."  Record  of  Messages  Sent 
and  Received,  131st  Infantry. 

^^See  2:627. 

^^See  2:629. 

^^"Nov.  9,  191 8.  Regiment  concentrated  at  Ranzieres  in  preparation  for  the 
anticipated  attack  per  '  Conduct  in  case  of  Enemy  Withdrawal,  scheme  of  defense, 
Troyon  Sector,'  Hqs.,  33rd  Div.,  8th  November,  191 8,  F.O.  No.  10,  65th  Bde.,  9th 
November,  1918.  Regtl.  Hqs.  Hqs.  Co.  &  M.  G.  Co.  left  Ambly  3:00  p.m.,  arrived 
Ranzieres  6.00  p.m.  Distance  marched  six  kilos,  ist  Bn.  left  Recourt  2:40  p.m. 
arrived  Ranzieres,  6.30  p.m.,  distance  marched  twelve  kilos.  2nd  Bn.  left  Tilly-sur- 
Meuse  at  3.15  p.m.,  and  arrived  at  Ranzieres  5:00  p.m.  Distance  marched,  seven  kilos. 
Supply  Co.  remained  at  Ambly.  P.  C.  closed  at  Ambly  4.00  p.m.  and  opened  at 
Ranzieres  4.30  p.m."     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:650. 

"At  2:30  P.M.  Nov.  9th,  191 8,  the  Battalion  marched  to  Ranzieres  and  billeted 
there  for  the  night.  On  the  evening  of  the  same  date  a  meeting  of  Field  Officers  was 
held  at  which  relevant  points  of  'Secret  Operation  Order  No.  22>  R^g-  Hq.'  were  care- 
fully gone  over."  Report  of  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  for 
November  8  to  11,  2:655. 

"  On  November  9th  the  Battalion  moved  to  Ranzieres."  Report  of  the  Command- 
ing Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:658. 

"(Brigade  Reserve)  Oct.  25th  to  Nov.  9th  inclusive.  Received  replacements, 
reorganized  the  Battalion  and  trained."  Narrative  of  Operations  of  the  3rd  Battalion, 
129th  Infantry,  2:661. 

®'*"Nov.  9th — Companies  A  and  B  were  assigned  to  2nd  and  3rd  Battalions  129th 
Infantry  respectively.  Companies  C  and  D  to  2nd  and  3rd  Battalions  130th  Infantry. 
Company  D  left  for  Fresnes  at  4:00  p.m.  for  purpose  of  supporting  raid  on  Marcheville 
by   130th  Infantry."     Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:24. 

^^"  Companies  I  and  K.  .  .  .  again  moved  up  to  the  support  position  on  the  night 
of  November  9th/ loth.  .  .  .  Companies  L  and  M  were  moved  forward  to  the  eastern 
slope  of  Combres  Hill  on  the  night  of  November  9th/ 1 oth  in  support  of  the  attack  upon 
Marcheville.  Battalion  Headquarters  also  moved  and  a  P.  C.  was  established  on 
Combres  Hill."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry, 
2:699-700. 


NOTES  403 

^^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:602,  thus  summarizes 
the  important  happenings  in  that  command: 

"Nov.  9th,  1918.  In  accordance  with  Warning  Order  published  at  the  129th 
Infantry  9  a  m  to  be  ready  to  move  forward  at  once,  that  regiment  (less  3rd  Bn. 
already  stationed  at  Ranzieres),  moved  forward  to  Ranzieres  at  14:15  hours,  to  stage 
before  relieving  units  of  the  130th  Infantry  in  the  line,  130th  Infantry  held  the  line 
with  the  1st  and  2nd  Ens.  in  the  line  and  the  3rd  Bn.  in  reserve. 

"Reconnoitering  and  contact  patrols  sent  out. 

"Companies  of  the  123rd  M.  G.  Bn.  automatically  attached  to  Infantry  Battal- 
ions, as  follows:  Co.  A,  to  2nd  Bn.,  129th  Inf.,  Co.  B  to  3rd  Bn.,  129th  Inf.;  Co.  C  to 
2nd  Bn.,  130th  Inf.;    and  Co.  D  to  3rd  Bn.,  130th  Infantry. 

"Co.  D,  123rd  M.  G.  Bn.,  left  for  Fresnes  at  16:00  hours  to  support  theraidon 
Marcheville  by  the  130th  Infantry,  morning  of  loth  November,  in  accordance  with 
Brigade  Field  Orders  No.  9,  and  supplemental  Memorandum  Order. 

"Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry  notified  in  code,  by  'phone,  at  20:40  of 
uncertain  situation  of  Division  on  his  left  (especially  the  right  flank  of  that  division) 
and  to  carefully  guard  his  own  left  flank. 

"Memorandum  Order  issued  to  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  directing 
two  patrols  to  be  sent  from  Fresnes  to  occupy  Pintheville  and  Riaville  and  a  large 
patrol  to  move  on  Marcheville-Maizeray. 

"Commanding  General,  66th  Brigade,  on  our  right,  requested  to  engage  by 
machine  guns,  the  vicinity  of  St.  Hilaire  and  the  road  St.  Hilaire — Marcheville  when 
the  right  battalion  of  this  brigade  should  attack  the  morning  of  loth  November. 

"Casualties:    i  enlisted  man  killed;    I  enlisted  man  missing." 
Report  of  the  events  of  the  24  hours  from  November  9(12  h.)  to  November  10 
(12  h.).     17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  1 126-S/3,  November  9,  1918. 

^^"A  very  heavy  artillery  fire  was  kept  up  throughout  the  day,  principally  on  our 
forward  positions  in  Fresnes,  Champion  and  Saulx.  This  fire  was  principally  of  a 
harassing  nature,  of  75-s,  105-s,  1 50-s,  HE  and  Gas.  Counter  barrage  fell  on  the  road 
between  Fresnes  and  Champion  and  on  the  town  of  Fresnes."  Operations  Report, 
130th  Infantry,  from  12  hours  November  9,  to  12  hours  November  10,  dated  November 
10,  1918. 

^^As  prescribed  by  Field  Order  No.  9,  Headquarters  65th  Infantry  Brigade, 
November  8,  1918,  9:15  p.m.,  2:627. 

•^""Operations  on  Marcheville:  Supporting  65th  Infantry  Brigade — 130th  Infantry 
Regiment  at  5:45  November  loth:  The  batteries  used  were  under  command  of 
Colonel  Lea.  113th  F.  A.— A,  C,  D,  E,  F.  114th  F.  A.— A,  C,  E,  F.  115th  F.  A.— 
A,  B,  C,  E.  The  missions  were:  (A)  Box  Barrage.  (B)  Rolling  Barrage.  (C) 
Concentrations — Light  and  Heavy.  (D)  Covering  Fire — Heavy.  (E)  Neutraliza- 
tion fire — Corps  Artillery."  Operations  of  Divisional  Artillery,  33rd  Division,  U.  S. 
Troyon  Sector.     55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade.     10,826  rounds  were  fired. 

•^^"Nov.  loth — Company  D  assisted  raid  of  130th  Infantry  by  barrage  fire  on 
area  just  north  of  Marcheville  and  embarrassing  fire  on  Riaville,  from  positions  at 
Fresnes.  75,000  rounds  of  ammunition  expended.  Casualties:  Nil."  Operations  of 
123d  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:24. 

Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  for  November 
8  to  II,  1918,  2:692-693. 


404  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

'^Bulletin  of  Information  No.  ii8,  issued  by  the  17th  Army  Corps,  November  10, 
1918. 

^^Interrogatories  of  prisoners  captured  at  Marcheville,  published  in  Annex  No.  i 
to  Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  56,  33rd  Division  (G-2),  November  10,  1918. 

"^^Ibid.;   Bulletin  of  Information  No.  118,  17th  Army  Corps. 

^®"0n  the  morning  of  November  loth,  about  one  hour  after  the  attack  on  March6- 
ville,  I  received  a  telephone  message  from  Capt.  Gravenhorst  requesting  me  to  send 
troops  to  support  the  attack.  Company  L  was  placed  at  his  disposal.  I,  myself, 
went  to  Saulx  to  have  a  conference  with  Capt.  Gravenhorst  and  on  my  return  I  sent 
Company  M  forward.  This  company  moved  up  into  the  front  lines."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  on  Operations  from  November  8 
to  II,  191 8,  2:700. 

^^"On  loth  November  1918,  at  5:45  a.m.,  the  Second  Battalion,  under  command 
of  Captain  Albert  H.  Gravenhorst  attacked  Marcheville  with  the  aid  of  an  artillery 
barrage  capturing  six  officers,  85  other  ranks,  and  killing  a  great  number  of  the  enemy 
who  were  not  counted  owing  to  a  counter  attack  and  gas  barrage  which  drove  our  forces 
into  the  trenches  at  the  southern  edge  of  the  town.  The  village  of  Marcheville  was 
held  by  the  Second  Battalion  130th  Infantry  and  afforded  a  covering  point  for  the 
attack  of  the  nth  November  1918.  Four  heavy  and  eight  light  machine  guns  were  cap- 
tured in  the  raid  on  Marcheville  and  one  six-inch  Howitzer  in  the  vicinity  of  Cote  233." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry,  2:675. 

^^Operations  Report,  130th  Infantry,  November  10,  1918. 

130  Infantry  carried  out  attacking  raid  on  Marcheville,  cleaning  up  all 
Trench  Systems,  northeast  of  Saulx  and  captured  and  destroyed  the  Observation  Post 
in  Hill  233,  also  captured  the  village  of  Marcheville,  with  the  aid  of  artillery,  but  two 
enemy  counter-attacks  forced  the  two  companies  of  occupation  to  retire  to  the  trench 
system  at  the  southeastern  edge  of  the  village,  from  which  position  two  further  counter- 
attacks were  repulsed. 

"38  of  the  enemy  were  killed;  92  prisoners  were  taken,  of  which  5  were  officers 
and  87  Other  Ranks.  Our  casualties  not  definitely  known  at  this  time,  but  included 
in  later  reports.  .  .  . 

"Letters  of  commendation  published  by  the  Brigade  Commander  to  Captain 
Albert  H.  Gravenhorst,  Battalion  Commander,  130th  Infantry,  and  Major  Albert  L. 
Culbertson,  Commanding  the  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  upon  the  success  of  their 
commands  in  the  raid  upon  Marcheville,  the  morning  of  this  date. 

"Co.  D,  123rd  M.  G.  Bn.,  carried  out  its  mission  of  barrage  fire  on  the  area  just 
north  of  Marcheville  and  of  harassing  fire  on  Riaville  from  positions  in  Fresnes. 

"Material  Captured:    4  heavy  Machine  Guns. 
8  light  Machine  Guns." 
Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:603. 

^""The  barrage  which  your  people  put  down  in  front  of  Marcheville  during  the 
loth  of  November,  when  the  Boche  counter-attacked,  had  a  wonderful  effect.  One 
officer  told  me  that  he  saw  two  machine  guns  knocked  to  pieces,  and  other  men  and 
officers  say  that  the  effect  on  the  Boche  was  splendid."  Commanding  General,  65th 
Infantry  Brigade,  to  Commanding  General,  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  November 
16,  1918,  3:297;  also  statement  of  General  King  to  the  writer. 

^'Operations  Report,  130th  Infantry,  November  10,  1918. 


NOTES  405 

^^Reportof  the  events  of  the  24  hours  from  November  9  (ilhours)  toNovember  10, 
(12  hours)  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  2nd  and  3rd  Bureaus,  No.  1122-C/3. 

^See  above,  i:2oi. 

^^See  2:309. 

*^i7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  S/3,  "True  copy  certified  to  the 
General  commanding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.  (and)  the  General  commanding  the  Artillery 
of  the  A.  C,"  dated  November  10,  1918. 

^®The  western  boundary  of  the  IVth  Corps  as  then  existing  was  extended  north 
through  Jonville  (exclusive) — Latour-en-Woevre  (exclusive) — Hannonville  (exclusive) 
— Ville-sur-Yron  (exclusive)  to  Jarny  (exclusive).  Tactical  use  of  the  road  from 
Hannonville  past  the  Mars-la-Tour  monument  to  Jarny  was  reserved  for  the  17th 
Army  Corps. 

^^Records  of  the  Message  Centre  of  the  33rd  Division. 

^^"Our  attack  is  progressing  along  the  entire  front  in  spite  of  a  stubborn  resistance. 
The  17th  A.  C.  has  captured  Marcheville,  St.  Hilaire,  the  Bois  de  Warville  and  the 
Bois  les  Hautes  Epines.  The  Vlth  Corps  has  captured  the  Bois  de  Frehaut  and  the 
Bois  de  la  Woivrotte. 

"The  Ilnd  Army  will  continue  its  attack  by  concentrating  its  efforts  upon  the 
points  where  the  enemy  seems  to  offer  less  resistance.  The  mission  of  the  Army 
remains  unchanged  as  well  as  the  zones  of  action  devolving  upon  the  A.  Cs. 

"The  17th  A.  C.  will  continue  with  energy  the  success  already  obtained." 

*^See  2:135. 

^"Journal  of  Operations,  6  a.m.  November  10,  to  6  a.m.  November  11,  1918,  P.  C. 
33rd  Division,  November  11,  1918,  2:479. 

^^See  above,  i  :2o8-2o9. 

^^See  above,  1:206-207. 

^^"  ....  I.  With  reference  to  Field  Order  No.  10,  these  Headquarters,  dated 
9th  November,  1918,  the  following  change  is  made: 

"The  battalion  of  the  130th  Infantry  now  in  Fresnes  and  the  Machine  Gun 
Company  attached  to  it,  will  follow  the  battalion  of  the  advance  guard  that  will  move 
along  the  Fresnes — RIaville — Plntheville — Pareid — Villers  Road,  maintaining  such  a 
distance  from  the  advance  guard  as  will  enable  them  to  support  the  advance  guard  if 
necessary. 

"2.  It  will  cover  the  left  flank  of  the  advance,  maintaining  liaison  with  the 
elements  of  the  8ist  Division." 

"Headquarters, 
65TH  Infantry  Brigade, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces.  RW/w. 

France,  loth  November,  19 18. 
3:45  P.M. 
"Memorandum  Order: 

I.  With  reference  to  Field  Order  No.  10,  these  Headquarters,  dated  9th  Novem- 
ber, 1918,  'D'  day  will  be  Monday,  November  nth,  1918,  and  'H'  hour  5:00  a.m. 

Roane  Waring, 

Major,  U.  S.  A., 
Brigade   Adjutant." 

^*"F.  O.  No.  34,  Hdqrs.  33rd  Division,  received  and  F.  O.  No.  10,  these  Brigade 


406  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Headquarters  published,  covering  advance  to  be  made  on  Monday,  nth  November,  in 
conjunction  with  the  66th  Brigade  on  our  right  and  the  8ist  Division  on  our  left,  the 
mission  to  be  as  laid  down  in  Annex  No.  ii,  to  Defense  Scheme  Troyon-Chaillon 
Sector,  dated  Nov.-Sth,  191 8.  Further  details  of  attack  contained  in  F.  O.  No.  35, 
Hdqrs.  33rd  Division,  published  at  1 1  :oo  p.m. 

"Addendum  to  Plan  of  Liaison  to  accompany  F.  O.  No.  34,  Hdqrs.  33rd  Division, 
received."     Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:603. 

^^"  129th  Infantry  moved  from  Ranzieres  staging  area  to  front  line  locations, 
preparatory  to  relieving  the  130th  Inf."  Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th 
Infantry  Brigade,  2:602-603. 

^®"Nov.  10,  1918.  Pursuant  to  Field  Order  No.  34,  Hqs.  33rd  Div.,  loth,  Nov. 
1918,  F.  O.  No.  10,  65th  Bde.,  9th  November,  1918,  Operation  Order  No.  33 
(Amended)  129th  Inf.,  loth  November,  191 8,  the  units  of  this  Regiment  marched  to 
take  up  position  for  advance,  as  follows:  ist  Bn.  left  Ranzieres,  2.15  p.m.,  marched  to 
Herbeuville,  arriving  at  latter  place  10.30  p.  m.  Distance  marched  fifteen  kilos.  2nd 
Bn.  left  Ranzieres  2.00  p.m.,  marched  to  Fresnes,  arriving  there  at  11.30  p.m.  Distance 
marched  sixteen  kilos.  3rd  Bn.  left  Ranzieres  2:30  p.m.,  marched  to  vicinity  of  Saulx, 
arriving  at  9.35  p.m.  Distance  marched  fifteen  kilos.  Regtl.  P.  C.  closed  at  Ranzieres, 
and  opened  at  Saulx,  10.00  p.m.  Supply  Co.  at  Ambly.  Transport  near  St.  Remy." 
Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:650. 

"At  2:30  P.M.  Nov.  loth,  1918,  the  Regiment  moved  from  Ranzieres  to  the  Bois 
Remy  where  a  hot  meal  was  consumed  after  which  about  8:00  p.m.,  the  Battalions 
moved  to  their  starting  positions  outlined  in  Operations  Order.  This  Battalion 
accompanied  by  M.  G.  Co.,  129th  Inf.  moved  to  and  occupied  a  system  of  trenches  on 
the  heights  overlooking  Herbeuville."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battal- 
ion, 129th  Infantry,  2:655. 

"The  Battalion  continued  its  march  at  2:00  p.m.  November  loth,  arriving  at 
Fresnes-en-Woevre  November  nth  at  2:00  a.m.  Here  the  Battalion  relieved  a 
Battalion   130th  Infantry."     Second  Battalion,   129th  Infantry,  Operations,   2:658. 

"Nov.  loth.  The  Battalion  left  Ranzieres  and  marched  to  Saulx-en-Woevre  and 
relieved  the  2nd  Battalion  130th  Infantry,  then  in  front  of  Marcheville,  at  4:00  a.m. 
nth  Nov."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, 
2:662. 

^^"Nov.  II,  1918.  Relief  of  130  Inf.  completed  4.30  a.m."  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:650. 

^^"On  the  night  of  November  loth/iith  the  129th  Infantry  were  to  relieve  the 
Second  Battalion  and  Companies  L  and  M  of  this  Battalion,  but  for  some  reason  or 
other  the  relieving  troops  did  not  move  up.  This  caused  a  change  in  orders  and  instead 
of  this  Battalion  being  the  advanced  guard  of  the  right  column,  it  came  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Myer  of  the  129th  Infantry,  and  was  to  be  the  support  of  the 

center  column  of  the  65th  Brigade Companies  L  and  M  remained  in  front  of 

Marcheville."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, 
2:700. 

®^See  above,  i  :403,  n.  66, 

^'"'Confidential  Field  Order  No.  49,  P.  C.  Pliable  (code  word  for  the  131st  Infantry) 
November  10,  1918. 


NOTES  407 

^"^"At  I  A.M.  orders  were  received  to  assemble  the  battalion,  less  troops  in  outpost 
position,  and  report  to  Doncourt  at  5  a.m.  Nov.  10th  to  Major  Allen.  The  battalion 
left  its  position  at  3:30  a.m.,  arriving  in  Doncourt  at  5  a.m.,  where  orders  were  received 
placing  the  writer  [Captain  Walter  H.  Magner,  commanding  2nd  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry]  in  command  of  both  battalions  and  ordering  the  2nd  Battalion  to  Bois  le 
Warville."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  on 
"operations  Nov.  6-1 1,  1918."     See  3:136. 

"At  midnight  of  Nov.  gth-ioth,  this  company  received  orders  from  131st  Infantry 
to  join  that  regiment  at  Doncourt  at  5:00  o'clock  next  morning.  Upon  arriving  there 
it  was  assigned  to  the  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  and  moved  forward  into  Haute 
Epines  and  Warville  Woods  with  that  regiment.  This  company  was  given  the  task 
with  the  2nd  Battalion  of  protecting  the  flanks  of  the  3rd  Battalion  while  it  attacked 
and  held  a  part  of  Harville  Woods."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company 
B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:192. 

^"-By  Companies  A  and  B,  ist  Battalion,  and  by  the  detachment  under  Lieutenant 
Cronin.     See  above,  1:205. 

^*'^"3rd  Bn.  is  now  located  in  Bois  de  Warville  and  2nd  Bn.  in  Bois  les  Epines. 
MyP.  C.  is  located  at  present  at  535.539."  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  to  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  November  10,  1918,  7:15  a.m. 
Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry.  Company  A,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  which  was  attached  to  the  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  apparently 
followed  somewhat  later  according  to  the  report  of  its  Commanding  Officer,  who  states 
that  "On  the  evening  of  9th  Nov.  1918,  received  Field  Order  #  49  from  C.  O.  131st 
Infantry,  U.  S.  A.,  and  at  11:00  p.m.  received  a  message  from  the  C.  O.  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  to  the  effect  that  Co.  A  and  Co.  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  were 
to  report  to  the  C.  O.  131st  Infantry  or  his  representative  by  5:00  a.m.  on  the  loth 
Nov.  191 8,  at  Doncourt.  Left  billets  at  3:00  a.m.  on  Nov.  10,  191 8,  and  reported  to 
Capt.  Magner,  131st  Infantry,  U.  S.  A.,  and  from  there  moved  to  Bois  les  Ht.  Epines 
and  remained  there  under  cover  until  10:00  a.m.  of  the  loth  Nov.,  1918,  and  under 
cover  of  the  fog  moved  to  Bois  de  Warville." 

^''^i3ist  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d'Harville  and  Bertaucourt 
Farm,  3:123. 

^''^" About  10  p.m.  an  order  was  received  to  send  i  company  and  1  platoon  of 
machine  guns  into  St.  Hilaire  and  occupy  it  at  daybreak.  This  was  accomplished 
with  no  resistance."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infan- 
try, 3-'i3(>- 

"The  morning  of  November  loth,  1918,  Co.  F,  131st  Infantry,  commanded  by 
1st  Lieut.  C.  F.  Schnepp,  and  the  3rd  platoon,  Co.  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
4  guns,  commanded  by  1st  Lieut.  Allan  R.  Goodman,  occupied  St.  Hilaire  without 
opposition.  We  immediately  organized  the  town  for  defense."  Report  of  Lieutenant 
Goodman  in  the  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
3:194. 

"The  order  for  the  occupation  of  St.  Hilaire  by  these  troops  was  sent  by  the 
Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion  of 
that  regiment  on  November  9,  1918,  at  9:05  p.m.  and  in  it  specific  instructions  were 


408  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

given  that  the  'Troops  will  hold  St.  Hilaire  at  all  costs.'"  Record  of  Messages  Sent 
and  Received,  131st  Infantry. 

^°^o  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  at  8:50  a.m.:  "Report  your  own 
and  enemy  positions  and  if  you  have  Warville  and  Epines  Woods.  We  must  know 
quickly  as  an  attack  is  to  be  made  on  Harville  Wood.  Also  report  if  any  other  Bns.. 
have  arrived  and  which  one." 

To  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  at  9:10  a.m.:  "Advise  me  quick  when  you 
expect  to  be  in  position.  We  attack  this  morning.  You  must  be  ready  at  a  moment's 
notice  to  support  the  attack  or  protect  the  flanks." 

To  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  at  9:15  a.m.:  "Advise  me  quick  when  you 
get  in  position  and  where.  Be  ready  to  attack  at  once  when  ordered."  Record  of 
Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry. 

^''^"  Artillery  is  shelling  Bois  de  Harville,  at  11  hr.  artillery  will  cease  and  3rd  Bn. 
will  attack  Harville  Woods.  You  will  advance  and  occupy  La  Bertaucourt  Farm  and 
hold  it  as  flank  protection  to  the  troops  attacking  Harville  Woods  as  soon  as  artillery 
ceases."  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion, 
131st  Infantry,  November  10,  1918,  at  10:35  a.m.    IHd. 

^*'^"  Select  a  position  forward  in  Harville  Woods  and  hold  it.  Watch  flanks  and 
ask  for  protection  if  required.  Our  troops  (Capt.  Wilson's  2  Cos.)  will  occupy  Bertau- 
court Farm.  This  cancels  Par.  4-e  and  F  in  F.  O.  49,  pertaining  to  withdrawing 
troops."  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  to  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion, 
131st  Infantry,  at  10:45  a.m.     Hid. 

"At  1 1:00  o'clock  received  orders  to  the  effect  that  sub-paragraph 'E' of  paragraph 
4  of  Field  Order  #  49  would  be  stricken  out,  and  that  the  position  would  be  held." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 

3:191. 

^^•^13181  Infantry  Operations;  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion 
131st  Infantry  (Captain  Stockwell).  The  "H"  hour  was  originally  fixed  at  2  p.m.  on 
November  10  (see  1:403,  n.  66)  but  was  changed  during  the  morning  to  11  a.m. 
Although  notification  of  this  change  was  sent  to  this  officer,  he  did  not  receive  it  until 
about  1 1  A.M.,  and  prior  to  that  time  all  the  battalion  commanders  were  acting  on  the 
supposition  that  the  "H"  hour  was  still  2  p.m. 

^^*^At  8:50  A.M.  the  commander  of  the  ist  Battalion  reported  "Artillery  falling 
short"  and  at  5:55  p.m.  the  same  officer  stated  that  "Artillery  first  few  shots  at  7:45 
A.M.  fell  200  yards  short  into  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines."  Record  of  Messages  Sent  and 
Received,  131st  Infantry. 

Ill"  Plymouth  [code  word  for  ist  Battalion]  in  position,  outposts  along  N.  E.  edge 
of  Warville  &  Epines  Wood.  3rd  Bn.  in  position  in  Warville  Wood.  2nd  Bn.  in 
support  in  Epines  Wood.  Start  artillery  fire  when  you  wish  on  Harville  Wood,  also 
on  Bertaucourt  Farm.  Advise  how  long  Artillery  fire  will  continue."  Commanding 
Officer,  1st  Battalion,  to  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  9:25  a.m. 

^^^At  10  A.M.  the  Commanding  General  of  the  66th  Brigade  sent  the  following 
message  to  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry: 

"  Artillery  action  now  on  Harville  Wood  will  cease  at  11:00  hr.  Be  ready  to  jump 
in  at  this  time  and  see  that  support  Bn.  is  ready  to  protect  and  support  your  flanks. 
Acknowledge  and  follow  out."     At  10:10  a.m.  this  message  was  relayed  to  the  com- 


NOTES  409 

manding  officer  of  the  3rd  Battalion.     Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st 
Infantry. 

In  his  report  Colonel  Sanborn  remarks  that  the  "Artillery  rolling  barrage,  inter- 
diction and  harassing  fire  was  weak,  especially  barrage  fire  on  the  Bois  d'  Harville, 
between  10  and  11  a.m.  Officers  who  were  in  observation  state  that  a  few  shells  fell 
in  the  woods  but  not  in  sufficient  volume  to  destroy  wire  entanglements  or  drive  out 
enemy  machine  gun  posts.     Some  officers  reported  no  shelling  on  their  fronts." 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  no  mention  whatsoever  is  made  of  any  firing  by  the  55th 
Field  Artillery  Brigade  in  the  report  of  its  operations  officer. 

^^^I3ist  Infantry  Operations,  3:128,  states  that  "at  3  p.m.,  a  second  attack  was 
made." 

In  his  report  as  the  commanding  officer  of  the  ist  Battalion,  Captain  Wilson  says: 
"At  II  :05  A.M.  received  word,  verbal  orders  from  Capt.  Magner,  to  attack  Bertaucourt 
Farm  in  support  of  3rd  Battalion  who  were  to  attack  Bois  d'  Harville  at  11  a.m. 
Ordered  Lieut.  Gegenback  to  attack  the  farm  from  the  right  flank,  withdrew  Lieut. 
Cronin  and  D  Company  from  Bois  de  Warville,  and  ordered  them  to  attack  from  the 
left.  At  11.20  a.m.  received  word  from  Capt.  Magner  that  he  had  changed  time  of 
attack  to  11.45  'I'^d  for  me  to  attack  farm  at  that  hour.  Withdrew  A  and  D  Company 
to  edge  of  the  woods.  No  casualties.  At  11.45  a.m.  advanced  to  the  attack,  but  met 
heavy  enemy  flanking  fire  from  La  Vachere  Bois  which  had  been  vacated  ...  A  Co. 
lost  7  wounded  but  though  unable  to  continue  the  attack,  kept  up  heavy  frontal  fire 
on  farm  to  prevent  enemy  flanking  3rd  Battalion.  Fell  back  to  edge  of  Bois 
Epines  when  3rd  Bn.  fell  back  from  Bois  d'Harville.  Stayed  in  our  positions  night  of 
November  lo-ii,"  3:134-135. 

^  Moved  up  in  rear  of  forming  up  line  at  12:30  p.m.,  which  was  on  the  Northeast 
side  of  Bois  de  Warville,  facing  the  Bois  d'  Harville  which  we  were  to  attack  at  H  hour, 
it  being  2:00  p.m.,  Nov.  loth,  191 8.  Formation  for  attack  was  as  follows:  One  platoon 
to  form  on  the  left  flank,  their  task  being  to  cover  the  advance  of  attacking  troops 
across  the  open  ground  and,  after  the  attacking  infantry  had  reached  the  Bois  d'  Har- 
ville, this  platoon  was  to  advance  to  and  take  positions  along  the  left  of  the  Harville 
Woods,  guns  being  placed  in  depth.  One  platoon  was  placed  on  the  right  flank  to 
advance  with  and  in  rear  of  attacking  infantry,  their  task  being  to  assist  the  advance 
of  the  infantry  until  they  reached  their  objective,  and  take  positions  along  the  right  of 
Harville  Woods,  guns  to  be  placed  in  depth.  One  section  of  the  support  platoon  was 
sent  forward  to  take  positions,  one  section  on  the  right  center  and  one  section  on  the 
left  center  of  Harville  Woods,  guns  to  be  placed  in  depth."  Report  of  the  Command- 
ing Officer,  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:191. 

The  lioth  Infantry  on  our  immediate  right  operating  toward  Jonville  in 
position  with  their  left  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Haravillers  Woods,  were  put  in 
liaison  with  our  line  by  sending  to  them  ist  Lt.  William  C.  Sanger,  Jr.,  and  50  other 
ranks."  131st  Infantry  Operations,  3:128.  General  Wolf's  order  for  this  detachment 
was  issued  at  12:55  p-m. 

^^^Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry. 

^Attack  commenced  at  2:22  p.m.  Companies  advanced  about  100  yards  when 
enemy  sent  S.  O.  S.  Troops  advanced  250  yards  and  took  cover  from  machine  gun 
fire.  Advanced  by  squad  rushes  to  within  150  yards  of  Bois  d'Harville.  At  this  time 
the  enemy's  barrage  was  put  down,  and  fell  in  Company  M's  line.     Lieut.  A.  G.  Miller 


410  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

in  order  to  save  his  troops  immediately  gave  the  order  to  charge  which  was  done  the 
enemy  being  driven  back  and  our  troops  occupying  the  edge  of  the  Bois  d'Harville. 
Our  troops  pushed  on  and  reached  their  objective,  the  sunken  road  in  Bois  d'Harville 
at  3:20  P.M.  During  the  attack  the  troops  were  met  by  heavy  fire  from  light  and  heavy 
machine  guns  and  from  enemy  infantry."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd 
Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3'-^37- 

li8<"p)^g  3rd  Bn.  moved  forward  at  2:18  p.m.  and  were  met  by  very  heavy  machine 
gun  and  artillery  fire.  At  3:15  it  became  necessary  to  send  a  company  to  the  right  for 
the  protection  of  their  flanks.  Co.  H,  2nd  Battalion  under  command  of  ist  Lt.  William 
E.  Simpson  moved  forward.  As  they  neared  the  woods  they  suffered  many  casualties, 
Lt.  Simpson  being  killed.  The  company  was  at  once  re-enforced  and  consolidated 
with  Company  G,  ist  Lt.  Julian  L.  Douglas  was  placed  in  command  of  the  combined 
force  gaining  a  position  to  the  right  of  the  Battalion.  With  this  aid  the  line  moved 
forward  cleaning  up  the  woods  and  driving  the  enemy  beyond  the  Jonville-Harville 
Road."     131st  Infantry  Operations   3:127. 

"They  attacked  Bois  de  Harville  at  2:18  p.m.  Nov.  10.  Heavy  resistance  was 
met  but  supporting  the  3rd  Battalion,  we  were  able  to  advance  to  543-554  to  546-553." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:136. 

"The  3rd  Battalion  attacked  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  and  went  right 
through  to  the  objective,  but  before  it  had  gone  far  the  2nd  Battalion  and  this  company 
were  called  upon  to  support  the  3rd  Battalion,  These  troops  moved  forward  at  once, 
entering  the  woods  from  the  right  under  very  heavy  artillery  and  machine  gun  fire. 

"Lieut.  Rockhill,  with  the  ist  platoon,  moved  forward  to  support  the  front  line. 
Lieut.  White,  with  the  2nd  Platoon,  moved  forward  almost  to  the  objective  and  took  up 
positions  along  the  right  flank.  While  reconnoitering  some  of  these  positions,  Sgt.  Ely 
of  this  company  met  and  captured  1 1  prisoners  single-handed."  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:192. 

^^^"Have  reached  objective  in  F.  O.  49.  Have  captured  3  more  prisoners." 
Captain  Magner  to  Captain  Malstrom,  by  telephone,  November  10,  191 8,  3:55  p.m. 
Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st  Infantry. 

^^''See  Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  57,  33rd  Division  (G-2),  November  11,  1918. 

^^'•Bulletin  of  Information  No.  118,  17th  Army  Corps,  November  10,  191 8. 

^^^13 1st  Infantry  Operations,  3:127. 

'^^^"On  account  of  the  numerous  casualties  caused  by  heavy  machine  gun  fire  and 
artillery  fire  we  were  unable  to  hold  the  ground  gained  and  at  5:30  p.m.  fell  back  to  the 
edge  of  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines,  the  3rd  occupying  Bois  de  Warville.  One  officer  and 
67  O.  R.'s  were  captured  by  the  two  battalions  in  this  operation."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:136. 

"At  dusk  Lt.  Miller  called  a  conference  of  the  officers  and  it  was  decided  that  it 
would  be  best  to  withdraw  at  dark  as  his  force  was  too  small  to  hold  the  line.  At  dark 
the  troops  were  withdrawn  to  edge  of  Bois  de  Warville  where  a  line  of  resistance  was 
established."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry, 
3:i37- 

"Fell  back^to^edge  of  Bois  Epines  when  3rd  Bn.  fell  back  from  Bois  d'Harville. 


NOTES  411 

Stayed  in  our  positions  night  of  November  lo-ii,"     Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer  1st  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:135. 

"The  woods  during  all  this  time  was  under  heavy  fire  from  artillery  of  all  sizes 
from  three  sides,  some  of  this  being  at  very  close  range.  Enemy  machine  guns  also 
were  covering  the  edges  of  these  woods.  All  this,  together  with  the  heavy  gas  caused 
by  the  shelling,  made  the  woods  untenable,  and  the  troops  were  ordered  to  withdraw 
about  7:00  P.M. 

"This  company  moved  back  to  the  edge  of  Hautes  Epines  Woods  and  immediately 
took  up  positions.  The  C.  O.  of  this  company  then  returned  to  2nd  Battalion  Head- 
quarters, but  found  no.infantry  officers  there.  Capt.  Magner  at  this  time  was  handling 
operations  from  Warville  Woods,  so  took  charge  there  temporarily.  Runners  were 
sent  out  at  once  to  collect  all  infantry  moving  back  (many  of  these  misunderstood 
orders  and  were  returning  to  Doncourt)  and  they  were  placed  along  the  Northern  edge 
of  the  woods  to  support  our  guns,  and  in  this  way  a  strong  line  was  formed  along  the 
edge  of  the  woods."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  3:192. 

"At  8:00  P.M.,  loth  Nov.  1918,  received  orders  that  the  infantry  were  withdraw- 
ing on  account  of  gas,  and  at  once  sent  runners  to  all  platoons  to  withdraw  to  forming 
up  line.  Right  platoon  withdrew  with  Infantry,  left  and  center  platoons  did  not  with- 
draw on  account  of  the  intensive  artillery  fire  on  the  open  ground  between  the  Harville 
Woods  and  the  Warville  Woods  until  3:00  a.m.,  nth  Nov.  1918,  and  then  withdrew  to 
the  Warville  Woods  and  took  up  their  former  positions  on  the  Northeast  edge  of  Bois 
de  Warville."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:191. 

i25See  1:205. 

^^^"On  the  night  of  November  loth-iith  the  Regiment  moved  forward  and  was 
disposed  of  as  follows: 

1st  Battalion Bois  les  Epines 

2nd  Bn.  less  Co.  H Avillers 

Co.  H St.  Hilaire 

3rd  Bn.  less  Cos.  L  &  M Woel 

Cos.  L  and  M Doncourt" 

Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,  3:158. 

At  6:20  P.M.  the  Commanding  Officer,  131st  Infantry,  sent  this  cheering  news  to 
Captain  Magner:  "You  are  being  reinforced  tonight  by  two  Bns.  of  132nd,  also  our 
M.  G.  Co.  has  advanced  to  forward  area.  Hold  ground  until  reinforcements  come. 
Food  and  ammunition  are  coming."  Record  of  Messages  Sent  and  Received,  131st 
Infantry. 

"loth  Nov.,  1918,  when  4  guns  were  ordered  to  occupy  St.  Hilaire  attached  to 
132nd  Infantry  (one  company).  Company  F,  131st  Infantry,  having  same  orders, 
came  first,  and  these  4  guns  in  command  of  an  officer  went  to  St.  Hilaire  with  latter 
company."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:193. 

i28See  1:214. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
3:196. 


412  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^^•^Field  Order  No.  23-a,  P.  C.  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  November  10,  191 8,  9:00 

A.M.,  3-.57. 

^^^At  6:45  P.M.  the  commanding  officer,  131st  Infantry,  sent  the  following  message 
to  Captain  Magner,  in  command  of  the  forward  troops  of  that  regiment: 

"I  will  be  at  Woel  about  5  a.m.  with  1  Bns.  132nd  in  reserve.  The  woods  in  front 
of  you  will  be  shelled  from  5  to  5:45  a.m.  following  which  you  will  push  on  and  clean  up 
the  woods.  Keep  in  touch  with  men  by  phone  at  Woel."  Record  of  Messages  Sent 
and  Received,  131st  Infantry. 

^^^"At  9:00  P.M.  this  order  arrived  by  mounted  messenger  from  Woel: 
"From:  C.  O.  131st  Infantry  10/11/18-6:15  p.m.  (by  phone) 

To:        C.  O.  of  Co.  at  St.  Hilaire. 

At  5:00  A.M.  tomorrow  morning  a  heavy  artillery  destructive  fire  will  be  laid  down 
on  Butgneville  about  i  kilo.  N.  E.  of  you.  You  will  advance  to  town  and,  following 
the  artillery  shoot,  take  this  town  of  Butgneville  and  hold  same,  using  your  entire 
force  of  one  company  and  4  machine  guns.  Acknowledge  receipt  of  this  message  and 
keep  us  informed  hourly  or  oftener  of  your  moves.  Also  have  phone  connection  mad^ 
with  St.  Hilaire  and  Woel  tonight  and  have  Signal  Officer  at  Woel  follow  you  in  the 
attack  with  a  wire.  (C.  O.  131st  Infantry) 

(PHable  i)" 

Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun   Battalion, 

3:i94- 

^^^"On  November  loth  in  accordance  with  Field  Order  No.  34  orders  were  given 
to  units  of  this  command  to  conform  to  missions  as  laid  down  in  '  Conduct  in  Case  of 
Withdrawal  of  the  Enemy'  Annex  No.  11.  During  the  night  November  lo/iith  the 
114th  and  1st  Battalion  115th  F.  A.  moved  to  the  Plain  in  support  of  the  65th  Brigade." 
Operations  of  Divisional  Artillery,  33rd  Division,  U.  S.,  Troyon  Sector,  55th  Field 
Artillery  Brigade,  3=^96. 

I34<<'pj^g  six  lettered  companies  being  in  area  preparatory  to  advance  and  laying  out 
Principal  Lines  of  Resistance  were  conducted,  in  addition  to  repair  of  P.  Cs.,  laundries, 
bath  houses,  operation  of  delousers,  management  and  operation  of  dumps,  repairs  to 
light  railways,  making  of  ration  dumps,  reconnaissances  in  forward  areas,  and  removal 
of  mines  and  mine  traps. 

"On  November  loth  and  nth  the  regiment  was  in  position  to  take  its  part  in  the 
advance,  necessary  material  having  been  sent  forward  and  all  arrangements  made  as 
far  as  practicable.  The  required  engineering  companies  were  with  the  -advance  echelon 
ready  for  duty."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  io8th  Engineers,  26 — 11 — 18, 
2:541. 

'^^x'^nnex  No.  i  to  Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  56,  Headquarters  33rd  Division 
(G  2),  November  10,  1918. 

^^^Annex  to  Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  57,  Headquarters  33rd  Division  (G-2), 
November  11,  1918. 

^^^Annex  No.  i  to  Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  56,  Headquarters  33rd  Division 
(G-2),  November  10,  1918. 

^^^Above,  1:213.  "Orders  were  received  to  relieve  130th  Inf.  in  Marcheville-St. 
Hilaire  system.  This  relief  was  accomplished  during  the  night  of  Nov.  lo-ii." 
Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,   ist  Battalion,   129th  Infantry,   2:655. 

"The  Battalion  continued  its  march  at  2:00  p.m.  November  loth,  arriving  at 


NOTES  413 

Fresnes-en-Woevre  November  nth  at  2:00  a.m.  Here  the  Battalion  relieved  a 
Battalion  130th  Infantry."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry,  2:658. 

"Relieved  the  2nd.  Battalion  130th  Infantry,  in  front  of  Marcheville,  at  4:00  a.m- 
nth  Nov."     Narrative  of  Operations  of  the  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:662. 

"Night  of  November  lo/iith  the  Battalion  was  relieved  by  the  Second  Battalion 
129th  Infantry."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  130th  Infantry, 
2:691. 

^^^Field  Orders  No.  35,  P.  C.  33rd  Division,  November  10,  191 8,  11:00  p.m.  See 
above,  1:21 i, 

^^'See  above,  i:2i6. 

^^^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:604;  Chronological 
Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:650-651.  Addendum  to  Operation  Order  No.  ;i2>i 
P.  C.  Pinetree  [code  word  for  the  129th  Infantry],  November  10,  1918. 

^^Addendum  to  Operation  Order  No.  23y  P-  C.  Pinetree.  "The  Battalion  .  .  . 
went  forward  at  5:00  a.m.  with  Pintheville  as  the  first  objective."  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:658. 

"Nov.  nth — Companies  A  and  B  under  command  of  2nd  and  3rd  Battalions 
129th  Infantry  occupied  main  line  of  resistance  and  took  part  in  the  operations  with 
the  respective  Battalions  with  which  assigned.  Companies  C  and  D  under  command 
of  the  2nd  and  3rd  Battalions  130th  Infantry."  Operations  of  123d  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:24. 

^*^ Addendum  to  Operation  Order  No.  ;i2iy  P-  C.  Pinetree:  "At  4:30  a.m.  nth  Nov. 
the  Bn.  advanced  in  support  of  the  2nd  and  3rd  Battalions,  129th  Inf."  Report  of  the 
Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  dated  January  5,  1919,  2:655. 

^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry.  "About  3.00  a.m.  morning 
of  November  nth.  Company  B,  130th  M.  G.  Co.  and  Battalion  Headquarters  moved 
forward  to  Fresnes  under  orders  to  follow  and  support  the  attack  of  129th  Infantry. 
After  the  129th  Infantry  had  started  their  advance  some  doubt  was  felt  as  to  the 
protection  of  their  left  flank  and  Company  'B'  was  sent  as  a  combat  unit  to  that 
flank."     Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:691. 

^*""0n  the  night  of  November  loth/nth  the  129th  Infantry  were  to  relieve  the 
Second  Battalion  and  Companies  L  and  M  of  this  Battalion,  but  for  some  reason  or 
other  the  relieving  troops  did  not  move  up.  This  caused  a  change  in  orders  and  instead 
of  this  Battalion  being  the  advanced  guard  of  the  right  column,  it  came  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Myer  of  the  129th  Infantry  and  was  to  be  the  support  of  the 
center  column  of  the  65th  Brigade. 

"The  Second  Battalion  left  their  position  in  front  of  Marcheville  and  marched  to 
Wadonville  to  become  a  part  of  the  right  column.  L  and  M  Companies  remained  in 
front  of  Marcheville  until  relieved  by  a  Battalion  of  the  129th  Infantry,  when  they  were 
moved  back  to  a  support  position  on  Combres  Hill,  about  10:00  a.m.  November  nth. 
At  5:30  A.M.  Companies  I  and  K  were  moved  from  St.  Remy,  where  they  had  assem- 
bled, to  a  position  on  the  eastern  slope  of  Combres  Hill,  in  support  of  the  center 
column. 


414  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

"General  King  had  established  his  P.  C.  at  my  Headquarters  at  4:00  a.m.  Novem- 
ber nth  and  on  verbal  orders  from  General  King  the  Third  Battalion  was  changed 
from  the  right  column  to  the  center  column."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:700. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th  Infantry. 

"Upon  being  relieved  the  companies  returned  to  Saulx  and  from  there  the  Battal- 
ion proceeded  to  Wadonville  and  took  up  a  defensive  position  in  the  trenches  near  the 
town,  arriving  at  these  trenches  at  9:00  a.m.  The  enemy  began  shelling  our  position 
at  9:45  A.M."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry, 
2:693. 

^^^Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:650. 

^*^"The  3rd  Bn.,  130th  Inf.  .  .  .  reached  the  village  of  St.  Hilaire  at  8:21  a.m." 
Chronological  Record  of  Events,  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:604. 

Nine  minutes  later  the  ist  Battalion  of  the  129th  Infantry  reached  the  line  between 
Marcheville  and  St.  Hilaire,  according  to  the  report  of  its  commanding  officer,  who 
thus  relates  the  operations  of  his  battalion  that  morning: 

"This  Battalion  accompanied  by  M.  G.  Co.,  129th  Inf.  moved  to  and  occupied 
a  system  of  trenches  on  the  heights  overlooking  Herbeuville.  At  3:30  a.m.  Nov.  nth, 
191 8,  a  message  was  received  for  this  Battalion  to  move  forward  at  'H'  Hour,  minus  30 

(4:30  A.M.). 

"A  dense  fog  hung  over  the  Woevre  valley  rendering  all  troop  movement  undis- 
cernable.  Promptly  at  the  designated  time  the  Battalion  moved  forward  via  Herbeu- 
ville-Wadonville— St.  Hilaire  road.  Upon  reaching  Wadonville  increasing  enemy 
artillery  action  precluded  any  further  use  of  this  road.  An  ammunition  dump  was 
established  here,  machine  guns  unloaded  and  all  animals  and  vehicles  sent  to  rear. 
From  this  point  the  Battalion  advanced  in  approach  formation,  the  right  moving 
along  the  Brigade  south  boundary  and  extending  to  the  left;  Companies  '  B', '  C '  and '  D ' 
plus  two  platoons  of  M.  G.  Co.  In  line;  Company  'A',  less  one  platoon,  plus  one 
section  of  M.  G.  .  .  .  had  preceded  the  Battalion  by  way  of  the  road  for  the  purpose  of 
locating  the  flanks  of,  and  maintaining  liaison  between,  the  65th  and  66th  Brigades. 

"A  rapid  advance  in  this  formation  was  not  possible  due  to  the  flooding  of  valley 
by  the  enemy  and  numerous  lines  of  barbed  wire.  At  8:30  a.m.  the  Battalion  reached 
the  lateral  line  St.  Hilaire-Marcheville.  A  combat  patrol  sent  forward  between 
these  two  towns  had  not  advanced  200  yards  when  it  drew  enemy  machine  gun  fire. 
Reconnaissance  of  St.  Hilaire  disclosed  the  left  flank  of  the  66th  Brigade  resting  in  the 
town.  A  Battalion  P.  C.  was  established  in  cemetery  at  roadfork  southwest  of  St. 
Hilaire  and  message  outlining  position  and  containing  all  information  dispatched  by 
Runner  to  RegtI.  P.  C.  at  Saulx."     See  2:655-656. 

^"Tlie  Battalion  attacked  Marcheville  at  9:00  a.m.  and  were  entering  the  town 
of  Marcheville  about  9:30  a.m."  Narrative  of  Operations  of  the  3rd  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry,  2:662. 

^  The  extreme  left  of  the  66th  Brigade  was  already  ensconced  in  St.  Hilaire,  as 
remarked  by  the  commanding  officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  above.  As  a 
matter  of  fact  it  had  been  occupied  by  Company  F,  131st  Infantry,  and  four  machine 
guns  about  dawn  on  November  10.     See  above,  1:214. 

^^^"2nd  &  3rd  Bn.s.,  assisted  by  Co's  A  &  B,  123rd  M.  G.  Bn.,  advanced  at  Zero 
hour.     Heavy  fog,  country  inundated  by  enemy,  hindered  advance.    "No  artillery 


^'OTES  415 

preparation.  Met  stubborn  resistance  in  enemy  machine  gun  nests,  but  advanced  and 
occupied  Chateau  d'Aulnois,  Riaville,  Marcheville  and  controlled  terrain  between  and 
on  line  with  these  towns."    Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:650. 

^^^See  1:217-218. 

^^^I3ist  Infantry  Operations.  St.  Hilaire — Boisd'HarvilleandBertaucourtFarm> 
3:128. 

^^*UU.,  3:129. 

^^^Compare  66th  Infantry  Brigade,  Meuse-Argonne,  Operations  in  the  Troyon 
Sector,  3:52. 

'^^"The  battalion  to  which  we  were  attached  was  moved  forward  on  the  night  o* 
the  9/10  Nov.  with  another  M  G  Co.  attached,  as  we  could  not  have  assembled  our 
company  in  time,  we  were  left  in  position  until  later.  At  2:30  a.m.  10  Nov.  we  received 
orders  to  assemble  the  company  and  wait  orders,  which  assembly  was  completed  at 
7  A.M.  During  the  afternoon  of  the  loth  Nov.  we  were  ordered  to  Woel,  in  reserve,  to 
await  orders  and  also  instructed  to  relieve  one  section  of  D  Co.  124th  M  G  Bn. which 
was  with  a  liaison  group  of  the  iioth  Infty.  on  the  south  of  the  Woel-Jonville  road. 
This  relief  was  completed  about  midnight  lo/ii  Nov.  191 8. 

"About  daylight  on  the  nth  Nov.  I  received  orders  to  proceed  to  the  Bois  de 
LaVachere  and  cover  with  the  full  fire  of  all  my  remaining  guns  (10)  two  areas  East  of 
Bertaucourt  Farm  and  to  report  my  arrival  in  position,  through  our  Battalion  P.  C. 
in  the  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines.  This  was  to  cover  the  operations  of  our  troops  in  and 
around  the  Bois  de  Harville.  Before  reaching  my  position  I  received  orders  to  stop  at 
Doncourt  and  await  further  orders.  I  reported  by  telephone  from  Doncourt  and 
received  instructions  to  remain  for  orders."  Narrative  of  Operations,  November  8  to 
17,  1918,  by  Commanding  Officer,  Machine  Gun  Company,  131st  Infantry,  3:138. 

^^^13 1st  Infantry  Operations,  3:129. 

^■^^The  story  of  this  attack  and  the  gallantry  displayed  by  the  machine  gunners 
in  it  is  thus  graphically  told  by  First  Lieutenant  Allan  R.  Goodman  in  his  report  of 
November  13,  191 8,  which  was  incorporated  into  the  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:194. 

"We  had  received  no  water  and  rations  since  coming  to  St.  Hilaire,  and  had  very 
little  water  and  one  day's  iron  rations  left.  Messages  sent  by  me  to  my  company 
commander  through  131st  Infantry  Regimental  Headquarters  did  not  reach  him. 
Shortly  after  5:00  a.m.  a  few,  not  more  than  ten,  shells  exploded  in  or  near  Butgneville. 
There  was  no  other  artillery  fire  on  the  town.  At  5:20  a.m.  we  moved  out  for  the 
attack.  There  was  a  heavy  fog,  could  see  about  100  yards. 
"Formation: 

"Two  platoons,  Co.  F,  131st  Infantry,  ist  wave.  Two  platoons  same  company, 
2nd  wave.     Two  machine  guns  behind  and  supporting  both  flanks. 

"Two  platoons,  Co.  H,  132nd  Infantry,  in  support  at  200  yards.  Capt.  Wiggles- 
worth  gave  us  these  platoons  only  upon  our  earnest  request,  as  his  orders  from  his 
commanding  officer  were  to  hold  St.  Hilaire.  He  did  this  with  his  remaining  two 
platoons. 

"Our  total  force,  about  150  infantrymen  and  4  machine  guns.  8  infantrymen 
were  attached  to  machine  gun  platoon  as  ammunition  carriers.     We  received  machine 


416  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

gun  and  rifie  fire  about  500  yards  from  Butgneville.  We  continued  the  advance,  our 
machine  guns  firing  and  advancing  by  echelon.  100  yards  from  the  town  we  found  a 
strong  belt  of  wire  about  30  yards  wide,  high  wire  over  low  wire,  and  indications  of 
being  mined.  Enemy  fire  was  so  heavy  and  effective  here  that  any  movement  meant 
a  casualty.  We  continued  the  fight  here  for  about  half  an  hour,  hoping  the  enemy 
intended  to  evacuate  after  an  initial  resistance.  We  finally  had  to  withdraw  under 
cover  of  our  own  machine  guns,  who  stayed  when  the  infantry  withdrew.  We  had 
located  some  enemy  machine  guns  and  our  fire  at  this  stage  was  so  effective  that  the 
withdrawal,  a  difficult  operation,  was  made  without  receiving  any  casualties. 

"Our  total  casualties,  10  killed,  52  wounded.  Machine  gunners  casualties, 
6  killed,  5  wounded.  Total  rounds  fired  by  machine  guns — about  1500.  I  was  forced 
to  abandon  two  machine  guns  after  disabling  them  on  account  of  their  crews  being 
reduced  to  one  man. 

"The  gallantry  and  devotion  of  every  man  could  not  have  been  greater.  The 
killed  and  wounded  were  all  hit  at  their  posts,  and  their  sacrifice  tells  the  story,  ist 
CI.  Private  Albert  A.  Vahl  fought  his  gun  alone  when  every  one  around  had  withdrawn. 
Corporal  Homer  Bale  and  Private  Edwin  S.  Stensaas,  with  their  squads,  fought  their 
guns  ten  minutes  after  the  infantry  had  been  withdrawn.  Bugler  Hildred  D.  Davis 
fearlessly  carried  messages  under  heavy  machine  gun  fire.  Sergeant  Michael  P. 
McCarthy  and  Bugler  Hildred  D.  Davis,  after  being  ordered  to  the  rear,  came  back 
and  helped  carry  out  Lieut.  Storrs,  who  was  badly  wounded,  under  very  heavy  fire. 
This  was  after  machine  guns  and  infantry  were  all  withdrawn." 

The  commanding  officer  of  Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  says  in 
his  report  that  "On  the  night  of  loth  Nov.,  these  two  small  units  received  orders  to 
take  and  hold  the  town  of  Butgneville  after  a  destructive  artillery  barrage  at  5:00  a.m. 
nth  Nov.  This  barrage  never  fell,  yet  knowing  that  the  enemy  outnumbered  them 
and  that  they  were  strongly  fortified,  after  a  consultation  the  officers  in  command 
decided  to  make  the  attempt.  Using  the  usual  formation  governed  by  their  strength, 
they  moved  to  the  attack  about  5:30  a.m.  under  a  heavy  fog.  They  finally  reached  the 
wire  which  belted  the  town,  but  after  62  casualties  they  decided  to  withdraw.  .  .  . 
Eleven  of  the  casualties  were  machine  gunners,  6  killed  and  5  wounded,  2  of  them 
severely."     See  3:193. 

I59'<^j.  ^.^^  onNovember  nth,  Co.H,in  cooperation  with  other  troops  of  the  66th 
Brigade  was  engaged  in  attacking  the  town  of  Butgneville  and  driving  the  enemy  to  the 
north  edge  of  such  town.  This  company's  casualties  were  one  man  killed,  one  officer 
and  six  men  wounded."     Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd  Infantry,   3:158. 

^®°See  above,  1:410,  n.  124. 

^^^Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
3:193. 

^^^"At  4:00  A.M.  the  advance  to  Doncourt  was  begun.  When  about  one  kilo, 
from  Doncourt  the  enemy  opened  a  systematic  shelling  with  long  range  guns  upon  the 
town  of  Doncourt.  Owing  to  this,  it  was  not  considered  advisable  to  continue  the 
advance.  Accordingly,  the  company  was  taken  to  the  best  shelter  that  a  low  ditch 
on  the  South  side  of  the  Woel-Doncourt  road  afforded  and  kept  there  until  the  period 
of  shelling  had  ceased.  After  the  cessation  of  the  bombardment  of  Doncourt,  the 
company  arrived  safely  at  the  designated  point  at  5:15  a.m.,  reporting  upon  arrival 


NOTES  417 

to  the  officer  temporarily  in  charge  of  the  infantry  battalion.  C.  O.  ist  Battalion, 
132nd  Infantry  arrived  at  Doncourt  about  6:00  a.m.  and,  in  conference  with  C.  O. 
this  organization,  stated  that  his  orders  were  to  proceed  from  Doncourt  to  Bois  les 
Hautes  Epines  and  there  relieve  ist  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  already  in  occupation 
at  this  point. 

"Before  proceeding  from  Doncourt  limbers  were  unloaded,  because  further 
transportation  by  means  of  vehicles  was  impracticable.  The  limbers  were  returned 
to  Woel  to  await  orders,  it  not  being  deemed  safe  to  retain  them  in  the  vicinity  of 
Doncourt  because  of  the  periodical,  systematic  shelling  of  this  point  by  the  enemy  long 
range  and  77  millimeter  guns.  This  organization  was  not  distributed  as  has  been 
heretofore  the  custom  in  assigning  platoons  to  each  infantry  company,  but  was  given 
a  set  mission  ...  of  preventing  any  infiltration  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  from  the 
Bois  d'  Harville  toward  the  point  of  La  Bertaucourt  Farm,  where  it  was  believed  from 
information  received  that  the  enemy  was  maintaining  a  strong  point.  This  was  be- 
lieved to  be  composed  principally  of  machine  guns,  principally  ot  a  heavy  type.  From 
this  point  it  was  thought  the  enemy  might,  under  cover  of  machine  gun  fire,  make  a 
flank  attack  on  the  East  side  of  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines.  One  platoon  on  the  left 
was  given  special  mission  to  protect  the  left  flank  of  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry, 
from  any  infiltration  on  the  enemys  part  from  the  West  side  of  the  Bois  d'Harville 
toward  the  Bois  de  Warville.  The  3rd  platoon  was  held  in  reserve  in  the  position  to 
the  South  of  the  road  running  directly  Northeast  through  the  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines 
so  as  to  be  in  readiness  to  support  either  right  or  left  platoon  as  the  situation  should 
develop.     All  platoons  were  in  position  at  the  hour  of  8:00  a.m."     See  3:197. 

i63<"phe  1 22nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion  was  at  Camp  South  Thillombois,  France 
(28.5 — 42.0  Vigneulles  1/20,000)  on  November  9th,  loth  and  nth,  1918,  held  as  part 
of  the  Division  Reserve.  This  per  Annex  II  Chap.  XIV  'Defense  of  Troyon — Chaillon 
Sector,'  dated  November  8,  191 8. 

"Orders  were  to  have  the  Reserve  assemble  at  Troyon  but  the  order  giving  the 
hour  for  this  move  was  not  received."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  I22d 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  January  24,  1919,  2:562. 

^^^Records  of  the  radio  station  at  Headquarters  33rd  Division. 

^^^2nd  A.  U.  S.,  17th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  ist  Bureau,  No.  12.180  P,  dated  At  the 
H.  Q.,  the  nth  November,  1918. 

^^^At  9:45  A.M.  the  following  telephone  message  was  received  from  G-3  of  the 
Second  Army  at  Toul: 

"At  the  same  time  that  you  send  a  sketch  showing  the  line  reached,  join  a  list  or 
sketch  of  the  areas  gassed  with  mustard  gas.     Take  all  necessary  precautions  to  avoid 
billeting  in  woods  gassed." 
1®^"  G-3  "  P.  C,  33RD  Division,  A.  E.  F., 

I2th  November,  191 8. 

Journal  of  Operation — 6  a.m.  nth  Nov.  to  6  a.m.  12th  Nov.  1918. 

1.  Rendered  usual  situation  and  operation  reports  to  Corps  and  G.  H.  Q. 

2.  Issued  Field  Order  No.  36.  'Stating  Armistice  has  been  signed  and  becomes 
effective  November  n,  191 8  at  11:00  a.m.  All  hostilities  will  cease  at  once  and 
no  further  advance  will  be  made.  Each  Brigade  will  at  once  make  all  arrange- 
ments to  advance  in  appropriate  formation  with  Advance  Guards,  in  case  orders 

(h) 


418  THE  33 RD  DIVISION 

are  received  to  move  forward  to  occupy  surrendered  territory.  Each  Brigade 
will  detail  two  officers  to  make  a  sketch,  scale  1:20,000,  showing  the  exact  line 
reached  by  our  troops.* 
3.  Word  was  received  at  7:50  a.m.  nth  Nov.  that  the  Armistice  had  been  signed. 
This  was  transmitted  to  the  Brigades  and  hostilities  ceased  as  soon  as  the  Brigades 
transmitted  it  to  the  front. 

VV.  H.  Simpson, 

Lt.  Col.,  Inf.,  G-3." 

^^®" Orders  received  at  9.00  a.m.  that  Armistice  had  been  signed — messages 
immediately  sent  to  attacking  line,  who  withdrew  at  appointed  time  (9-45  a.m.)." 
Chronological  Record  of  Events,  129th  Infantry,  2:651. 

"About  9:15  A.M.  a  telephone  message  was  received  by  the  Captain  of  the  left 
flank  company,  131st  Inf.  to  'cease  hostilities  and  hold  all  ground  gained.'  This 
message  was  immediately  transmitted  to  C.  O.  ist  Bn.,  129th  Inf. 

"The  enemy  continued  to  vigorously  shell  St.  Hilaire,  Marcheville  and  intervening 
territory,  the  latter  being  quite  flat  and  unsuited  for  cover.  No  further  advance  being 
contemplated  and  before  the  heavy  fog  should  lift  and  disclose  the  positions  of  the 
Companies,  the  Battalion — less  two  platoons  of  Company  'A'  and  one  platoon  of 
M.  G.  which  were  left  to  strengthen  the  flank  of  the  131st  Inf. — was  withdrawn  to  more 
advantageous  supporting  positions  in  the  vicinity  of  Wadonville  and  message  notifying 
Regimental  Commander  of  this  move  sent  to  P.  C.  at  Saulx.  At  11:00  a.m.  and  for 
the  remainder  of  the  day  the  Battalion  was  occupying  these  positions."  Report  of 
the  Commanding  Officer,  ist  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:656. 

"The  troops  were  going  forward  when  at  9:30  a  message  from  the  Command- 
ing General  ordered  them  to  stop  and  hold  what  they  had  until  ii:oo  a.m.  At  iT:oo 
A.M.  the  armistice  terms  went  into  effect  and  the  Battalion  Headquarters  returned  to 
Fresnes.  Companies  F  and  G  returned  to  Tresauvaux  and  Companies  E  and  H 
established  a  line  of  outposts  along  the  line  the  Battalion  had  held  when  the  fighting 
ceased."      Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:658. 

"The  Battalion  attacked  Marcheville  at  9:00  a.m.  and  were  entering  the  town  of 
Marcheville  about  9:30  a.m.  when  the  order  came  to  cease  hostilities  due  to  the  signing 
of  the  Armistice.  The  Germans  ceased  at  11:00  a.m."  Narrative  of  Operations  of 
the  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  2:662. 

"Orders  received  dated  nth  November,  1918,  at  8:21  A.M.,Hdqrs.  65th  Brigade 
to  cease  firing  and  hold  positions  occupied,  echeloning  units  of  command  in  depth  and 
hold  same  as  Armistice  had  been  signed."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  130th 
Infantry,  2:676. 

"The  enemy  began  shelling  our  position  [in  the  trenches  near  Wadonville]  at 
9:45  A.M.  and  continued  until  hostilities  ceased  at  ii:oo  a.m."  Report  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  2:693. 

^^''"  Ordered  to  support  the  other  two  battalions  and  attack  Bois  Harville  as  soon 
as  relieved  by  132nd,  verbal  orders  C.  O.  Major  Dodd  and  Pst  Bn.  132nd  relieved  me 
at  10:00  a.m.  Nov.  ii.  Moved  into  Bois  Warville  and  prepared  to  attack.  Notified 
at  10:00  A.M.  that  Armistice  had  been  signed."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer, 
1st  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  3:135. 


NOTES  419 

"Orders  were  received  at  8:30  a.m.,  Nov.  ii,  to  fire  only  in  defense  as  the  Armis- 
tice had  been  signed."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  2nd  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  3:136. 

"At  7:40  A.M.,  orders  received  to  cease  firing  and  hold  positions  and  watch 
movements  and  fire  of  enemy  and  report  the  same.  Firing  of  the  enemy  continued 
until  1 1:00  A.M.  Enemy  put  over  two  barrages  one  at  8 130  to  8:35  A.M.  and  one  at  9:45 
to  9:50  A.M.  All  operations  ceased  at  11:00  a.m.  upon  receipt  of  orders  from  C.  O. 
that  armistice  was  in  effect."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  3rd  Battalion, 
131st  Infantry,  3:137- 

"The  1st  Battalion  was  cooperating  with  other  troops  of  the  Brigade  in  attacking 
Bois  d'Harville  when  hostilities  ceased."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  132nd 
Infantry,  3:158. 

"At  8:30  a.m.  on  the  nth  Nov.  1918,  received  orders  from  P.  C.  131st  Infantry 
to  the  effect  that  we  would  not  fire  upon  the  enemy  unless  ordered,  and  that  we  would 
report  all  enemy  shelling  by  wire  and  that  all  firing  would  cease  at  11:00  a.m.,  Nov. 
nth,  1918.  All  firing  ceased  at  the  appointed  hour."  Report  of  the  Commanding 
Officer,  Company  A,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:191- 

"The  next  morning  orders  came  to  attack  again  and,  while  the  131st  Infantry 
was  being  assembled  to  carry  this  out,  word  came  of  the  truce  and  these  operations 
ceased."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company  B,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  3:193. 

"About  9:00  A.M.  C.  O,  1st  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  who  was  then  relieved  and 
personally  about  to  vacate  P.  C.  which  had  been  turned  over  to  C,  O.  ist  Battalion, 
132nd  Infantry,  received  a  message  over  the  wire,  presumably  from  C.  O.  131st  Infan- 
try, that  the  armistice  between  Germany  and  the  associated  powers  would  go  into  effect 
at  11:00  A.M.,  Nov.  II,  1 91 8.  About  9:30  this  information  was  corroborated  to  C.  O. 
1st  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry  by  C.  O.  132nd  Infantry,  with  additional  instructions 
that  no  firing  would  take  place  either  by  infantry  or  machine  guns  on  the  sector 
occupied  by  him,  and  that  in  addition  thereto,  all  firing  on  the  part  of  the  enemy 
should  be  immediately  reported  to  him.  At  the  same  time  he  stated  that  information 
of  the  armistice  was  being  gotten  to  the  enemy  as  fast  as  possible.  These  orders  were 
carried  out  absolutely  to  the  letter."  Report  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  Company 
D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  3:197. 

^^^To  comply  with  the  instructions  from  G-;^  of  the  Second  Army  in  respect  to  the 
line  occupied  at  the  time  the  advance  ceased  (see  above,  i  :227),  the  following  report  from 
Colonel  Davis  of  the  132nd  Infantry,  acting  in  behalf  of  General  Wolf,  reached  the 
G-3  of  the  33rd  Division  at  10:30  a.m.  on  November  ii: 

"Line  starting  on  the  left: — Road  at  following  coordinates:  516-557,  running 
directly  east  to  southern  edge  of  Butgneville;  then  running  further  east  slightly  to  the 
south  below  Hill  227;  along  edge  of  Bois  d'  Harville;  then  directly  east  to  road  running 
north  and  south  through  Bois  d'  Harville;  running  in  a  southeasterly  direction  along 
road  to  Bertaucourt  Farm;  then  in  a  southeasterly  direction  through  center  of  Bois  le 
Vieux;    from  there  in  a  southeasterly  direction  to  la  [Ferme  des  Hauts]  Journaux." 

^^^In  his  Narrative  Report  of  the  Operations  of  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  in  connection  with  the  operations  of  the  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry, 
during  the  period  covered  by  the  dates  of  November  10  and  November  11,  1918 
(3:203-204),  Captain  Dodd  relates  that: 


420  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

"At  the  hour  of  ten  fifty  four  a.m.  a  solitary  machine  gun,  believed  by  C.  O.  this 
organization,  to  be  of  a  light  type,  opened  fire  from  the  direction  of  the  low  land 
between  the  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines  and  the  Bois  d'  Harville  and  not  more  than  800 
meters  from  our  direct  front.  It  kept  up  a  continued  galling  fire,  using  a  wide  traverse 
which  was  more  than  the  capability  of  the  heavy  type  of  German  machine  gun,  causing 
our  men  and  those  of  the  infantry  to  seek  cover  and  to  remain  therein.  The  bullets 
from  this  gun  at  no  time  passed  higher  than  from  three  to  six  feet  over  our  heads  at 
many  times  clipping  the  top  of  the  protection  our  men  had  sought.  This  fire  seemed 
to  be  limited  only  by  the  cyclic  rate  of  the  gun  and  was,  in  the  opinion  of  the  C.  O. 
this  organization,  delivered  to  the  extent  of  from  six  to  eight  belts  of  ammunition. 
Many  of  these  bullets  fell  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  Battn.  C.  O.  (Parrish)  [code 
word  for  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry]. 

"Promptly  at  one  second  after  the  hour  of  eleven  a.m.  this  bloodthirsty  individual 
ceased  his  fire  and  was  not  heard  from  any  more,  his  position  could  not  be  exactly 
located  because  of  the  density  of  shrub  in  front  of  the  infantry  positions  and  because  of 
the  ground  fog  existing  at  that  time.  In  conjunction  with  this  Swan  Song  of  German 
machine  gunnery,  German  artillery  a  great  way  to  our  right  opened  up  with  an  inten- 
sive barrage  at  the  hour  of  ten  forty  nine  a.m.  continuing  until  one  second  after  eleven 
A.M.  From  the  sound  of  the  firing  during  this  barrage,  one  would  judge  that  there 
must  have  been  at  least  six  batteries  in  action.  Whether  this  artillery  Hymn  of  Hate 
was  real  or  blank  it  was  impossible  to  say  because  it  was  too  far  to  our  right  to  be  able 
to  discern  the  impact  of  the  shells  in  question." 

^''^At  5:20  P.M.  on  November  12,  1918,  there  was  received  from  the  Chief  of  Staff 
of  the  17th  Army  Corps  a  "  true  copy  notified  to  the  General  Cdg.  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S." 
of  a  telegram  to  the  Corps  Commander,  dated  November  11,  191 8,  which  ran  thus: 

"G  No.  45 — ^The  G.  H.  Q.  reports  that  the  Germans  are  complaining  that  the 
Americans  did  not  cease  firing  at  Stenay-Beaumont  and  along  the  Meuse.  As  this 
state  of  things  refers  particularly  to  the  ist  Army  and  constitutes  an  impropriety,  the 
Army  Commander  wishes  you  to  take  necessary  measures  to  stop  the  fire  along  the 
entire  line.  Although  keeping  the  first  lines  intact,  no  act  of  hostility  must  be  com- 
mitted.    Acknowledge  receipt. 

Brigadier  General  HEiNxrELMAN, 

Chief  of  Staflr." 
17TH  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3RD  Bureau,  No.  1143.     C/3. 

^^■^Records  of  the  Statistical  Section,  Office  of  the  Division  Adjutant,  33rd  Divi- 
sion. 

"Faithful  to  their  trust,  true  to  their  traditions,  noble  in  their  sacrifice  the  men  of 
Illinois  were  suffering,  wounded  and  dying  when  the  curtain  came  down  at  the  end  of 
the  great  world  tragedy."  131st  Infantry  Operations:  St.  Hilaire — Bois  d' Harville 
and  Bertaucourt  Farm,  3:130. 

^^^Narrative  Report  of  the  Operations  of  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battal- 
ion, in  connection  with  the  operations  of  the  First  Battalion  132nd  Infantry  during  the 
period  covered  by  the  dates  of  November  10  and  November  11,  1918,  3:204. 

^^^65th  Infantry  Brigade:   Brigade  P.  C.  at  Mouilly; 

129th  Infantry,  subsectors  of  Fresnes,  Saulx,  Bois  des  Eparges,  and  Bois 
de  Combres; 


NOTES  421 

130th  Infantry,  in  reserve  extending  from  Ranzieres  to  Mouilly; 
123rd  Macliine  Gun  Battalion,  Companies  A  and  B  with  129th  Infantry; 
Companies  C  and  D  with  130th  Infantry. 
66th  Infantry  Brigade:    Brigade  P.  C.  at  Deuxnouds: 

131st  Infantry,  between  Herbeuville  and  St.  Maurice,  both  exclusive; 
132nd  Infantry,  Vieville,  St.   Maurice,  Woel,   Doncourt,  Wadonville, 

Bois  les  Hautes  Epines,  and  Bois  de  Warville; 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Companies  A  and  B,  Longeau  Ferme; 
Company  C,  Doncourt,  (with  two  platoons  near  Butgneville);  Com- 
pany D,  Vieville. 
^    From  daylight  on  September  9  until  the  cessation  of  hostilities  on  November  11 
the  major  part,  if  not  all,  of  the  33rd  Division  had  been  uninterruptedly  in  the  trenches 
except  for  the  short  period  from  October  20  to  25,  during  most  of  which  it  was  in 
movement  from  Verdun  to  Troyon. 

^^^As    prescribed    by    Field    Order    No.    36,  Headquarters  33rd  Division.     See 
above,  1:227. 

^^^See  above,  1:42,  43,  49,  50,  52,  53,  151. 


CHAPTER  IX 

^The  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  composed  of  the  122nd  Field  Artillery 
(Colonel  Milton  J.  Foreman),  123rd  Field  Artillery  (Colonel  Charles  G.  Davis), 
the  124th  Field  Artillery  (Colonel  Horatio  B.  Hackett),  the  io8th  Trench  Mortar 
Battery  (Captain  C.  J.  Kraft)),  and  the  108th  Ammunition  Train  (Major  Samuel 
N.  Sorenson).  The  122nd  and  124th  were  armed  with  3-inch  guns  and,  upon  arrival 
in  France,  with  French  75-millimeter  pieces,  while  the  123rd  was  a  regiment  of 
heavy  artillery,  armed  with  6-inch  howitzers  and  later  with  French  155-millimeter 
howitzers. 

^See  1:317,  n.  96, 


422 


CHAPTER  X 

^"Div.  P.  C.  Troyon;  Hdq.  Troop  Troyon;  122  M.  G.  Bn.  So.  Thillombois;  108 
F.  S.  Bn.  Troyon;  108  San.  Tr.  Troyon;  108  Engs  Tilly-sur-Meuse;  108  Tn.  Hq.  & 
M.  P.  Troyon;  55  F.  A.  Bde.  Troyon;  62  F.  A.  Bde.  Thillombois;  65  Inf.  Bde.  Mouilly; 
66  Inf.  Bde.  Deuxnouds."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  2:340. 

^See  above  1:227. 

^"IInd  a.  U.  S.  At  the  H.  Q.,  the  12th  November,  1918. 

17TH  Army  Corps 

Staff  Service  Note. 

3RD  Bureau  The  Ilnd  A.  U.  S.  telephones  as  follows: 

No.  865-S/3. 

1st.  By  virtue  of  Clause  No.  8  of  the  Armistice,  the  Germans  are  within  48  hours 
to  make  known  to  the  Allied  Command  the  dispositions  of  delayed  mines 
existing  in  the  sectors  which  they  have  abandoned. 

If  one  or  any  parlementarians  present  themselves  in  front  of  your  lines, 
inform  the  Ilnd  A.  U.  S.  immediately  and  make  known  the  declarations 
which  they  make. 
2nd  It  is  reported  that  some  Germans  have  approached  our  lines  in  order  to  seek 
to  enter  into  conversation  with  the  Americans.  If  similar  occurrences 
happen  on  your  front,  there  is  ground  to  arrest  the  Germans  and  to  deliver 
them  to  the  American  authorities. 

The  General  comdg.  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.  will  give  the  necessary  orders 
of  execution,  and  will  at  once  inform  the  General  comdg.  the  17th  A.  C.  if 
one  or  more  of  the  above  occurrences  have  happened  on  his  front. 

By  Order.     The  Chief  of  Staff, 
R.  Kastler. 
33RD  I.  D.  U.  S." 
^"Pyrotechnics. 

"Commencing  at  16:00  hr.,  continuous  illumination  by  flares  of  all  colors  and 
descriptions  to  24:00  hr.     Minor  activities  in  our  own  lines.     All  about  the  German 
back  area,  they  were  apparently  celebrating  in  this  manner.     Abated  from  24:00  to 
4:00  hr.  and  again  became  keen  from  4:00  to  5:00  hr. 
"X.     Activity  of  Our  Own  Troops. 

"Our  troops  employed  in  organizing  their  positions  and  picketing  their  lines  to 
prevent  fraternization. 

"XI.  Miscellaneous. 
During  the  afternoon  and  night  many  fires,  explosions  and  much  smoke.  Enemy 
reported  burning  mined  area,  which  may  account  for  the  smoke.  The  enemy  through- 
out the  sector  displays  extreme  joy  and  hilarity  over  the  cessation  of  hostilities.  They 
are  heard  singing  and  cheering  and  pyrotechnic  activity  is  a  further  expression  of  their 
joy."  Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  59,  issued  by  the  33rd  Division,  Second  Section, 
for  the  period  from  12  hour  November  12  to  12  hour  November  13,  191 8. 

^Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  60,  covering  the  twenty-four  hours  from  noon  on 
November  13  to  noon  on  November  14. 

423 


424  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^"This  Division,  less  62nd  F.  A.  Bde.  passes  to  the  command  of  the  Fourth  U.  S. 
Corps  at  8:00  o'clock  p.m.  per  order  #  875-S/3  from  17th  Army  Corps  (French)." 
War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  November  13,  191 8,  also  Journal  of  Operations,  33rd  Divi- 
sion, November  14,  191 8.  This  transfer  was  also  directed  in  Field  Order  No.  23, 
Headquarters,  Second  Army,  November  13,  191 8,  12  hours. 

^I7th  Army  Corps,  Staff,  3rd  Bureau,  No.  870-S/3,  "transmitted  for  execution  to 
the  Gen.  comdg.  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S.  [and]  to  the  General  comdg.  the  17th  Army  Corps 
each  insofar  as  concerns  him"  two  orders,  viz:  (i)  G-3  Order  No.  162,  11  hours  40, 
Wabash,  November  12  for  the  "immediate  withdrawal  from  the  lines  of  the  62nd  F.  A. 
Brigade  which  will  be  cantoned  near  the  railway  between  St.  Mihiel  and  Troyon.  .  .  . 
and  (2)  G-3  order  No.  163  announcing  that  'The  General  Commanding  orders  that 
you  send  immediately  sufficient  personnel  from  the  55th  F.  A.  Brigade  to  be  placed 
at  the  disposal  of  the  167th  F.  A.  Brigade  (IVth  Corps)  to  accompany  the  auto  trans- 
ports of  the  167th  to  the  55th  F.  A.  Brigade.  ..." 

*"  Staff  of  the  Ilnd  A.  U.  S.  telephones  as  follows  to  the  General  comdg.  the  17th 
French  Army  Corps: 

You  will  transmit  any  messages  received  from  Germans  relative  to  the  location 
of  mines  to  these  Hdqrs.,  but  will  make  no  response. 

All  negociations  [sic]  will  be  conducted  directly  by  G.  H.  Q.  without  utilizing 
subordinate  commanders  as  intermediaries. 

The  Army  Commander  directs  that  you  take  measures  to  assure  the  execution  of 
these  instructions.     Acknowledge. 

Heintzelman, 

Chief  of  Staff,  Ilnd  A.  U.  S. 
17TH  Army  Corps  Transmitted  for  execution  to  the  General  commanding 

Staff  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 

3RD  Bureau  All  reports  mentioned  above  will  be  sent  to  the  General 

No.  873-S/3  Comdg.  the  A.  C.  who  will  transmit  them  to  the  Army. 

At  the  H.  Q.  the  13th  November  1918. 
By  Order.     The  Chief  of  Staff. 
R.  Kastler." 

^At  4:15  P.M.  on  November  13,  191 8,  the  following  was  received  at  the  message 
centre  of  the  33rd  Division  at  Troyon-sur-Meuse: 

"Wabash  12  November, 

To  THE  General  commanding  the  17TH  French  A.  C. 

22h.  35-161  G-3. 

Confirming  the  telegraphic  instructions  of  this  day  the  General  commanding  the 
Army  prescribes: 

1st.  That  any  German  who  enters  our  lines  be  immediately  arrested  and  treated 
as  a  prisoner. 

2nd.  If  parlementarians  present  themselves  with  the  object  of  giving  information 
about  mines  or  dangerous  dispositions  referred  to  in  Parag.  8  of  the  Armistice,  they 
will  be  conducted  to  the  rear  as  far  as  the  P  C.  of  the  Division  but  not  farther  and 
immediate  information  thereof  will  be  given  to  the  H.  Q.  of  the  Army. 

3rd.  Men  on  duty  at  the  outposts  will  be  thoroughly  provided  with  arms  and  all 
necessary  equipment. 


NOTES  425 

4th.  Officers  of  the  Division  Staff  will  be  sent  to  the  front  line  to  see  to  the 
observance  of  the  order  relative  to  the  interdiction  of  all  communication  with  the 
enemy,  and  to  assure  that  the  orders  which  have  been  given  up  to  the  present  are 
strictly  observed. 

Please  acknowledge, 

(Signed)  Heintzelman. 
I7TH  Army  Corps  True  copy  notified  for  execution  to  the  General  Com- 

Staff  manding  the  33rd  I.  D.  U.  S. 

3RD  Bureau  At  the  H.  Q.,  the  13  November  1918. 

No.  872-S/3  B.  O.  The  Chief  of  Staff, 

R.  Kastler." 
^"Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  60  from  noon  on  November  13  to  noon  on  Novem- 
ber I4,  1918,  issued  by  33rd  Division,  Second  Section. 

^^" Issued  Conf.  Memo.  ^  40.  'Entire  day,  Nov.  i6th  to  be  devoted  by  all 
organizations  of  the  Division  to  a  thorough  policing  and  cleaning  of  billets,  camps, 
horse-lines  and  their  vicinity.' 

"Issued  Training  Circular  #  198  Re:   'Training  Battalion'. 

"Issued  Training  Circular  #  197-Re:  'Policing  and  cleaning'."  War  Diary,  33rd 
Division. 

^^"The  following  prisoners  were  forwarded  this  date  to  the  Corps  Enclosure: 

Italians 372 

Russians 23 

French 26 

French  Civilians 8 

Total 439." 

Summary  of  Intelligence  No.  61. 

^^As  prescribed  by  Field  Order  No.  25,  Headquarters  Second  Army,  November  15, 
1918,  11:30  Hours. 

On  November  17  a  report  was  tendered  to  General  Heliot,  commanding  the  17th 
French  Army  Corps,  with  citations  in  both  French  and  English  of  the  fifty  officers  and 
men  of  the  33rd  Division  recommended  for  the  Croix  de  Guerre.  Diary  of  the  Division 
Adjutant. 

^^"i.  (b)  The  Third  American  Army,  in  liaison  with  French  forces  on  its  right 
and  left,  at  5  a.m.,  17  November,  1918,  takes  over  the  present  front  of  the  First  and 
Second  Armies  and  advances  toward  Luxembourg. 

"(c)  The  First  and  Second  American  Armies  and  Allied  troops,  not  participating 
in  the  advance,  remain  in  reserve  ready  to  move  forward  if  required. 

"2.  The  Second  Army,  after  the  troops  of  the  Third  Army  have  cleared  its  front, 
will  reassemble  its  units,  except  as  noted  below,  for  training  and  remain  in  reserve  of 
G.  H.  Q.  .  .  ."  Field  Order  No.  26,  Headquarters  Second  Army,  November  17,  10 
hours. 

^®"IV.     Abandoned  German  Materials. 

"i.  It  is  reported  that  the  German  troops  have  left  behind  them,  in  various  places, 
boxes  marked,  '  Vorsicht-Infektioses  Material.'  These  boxes  may  contain  cultures  of 
bacteria  or  other  things  that  are  likely  to  be  dangerous  to  troops  and  civilians  if  care- 
lessly handled.     Boxes  of  this  nature,  as  well  as  tubes,  bottles,  glassware  of  any  kind. 


426  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

or  packages,  the  nature  of  which  is  obscure  but  which  suggest  the  possibility  of  con- 
taining bacteria  or  virus,  will  be  sent  unopened  to  the  Office  of  the  Chief  Surgeon, 
Second  Army,  for  investigation."  Administrative  Bulletin  No.  i8,  Headquarters, 
Second  Army,  November  17,  1918. 

^^"  November  18,  191 8. 

"Issued  orders  for  entire  Division  area  to  be  salvaged  per  33rd  Div.  Adm.  order 
No.  9. 

"Lt.  Col.  W.  H.  Simpson,  G.  S.,  relieved  as  Asst.  C.  of  Staff,  G-3,  &  appointed 
Acting  Chief  of  Staff  per  33rd  Div.  G.  O.  147. 

"Major  Roane  Waring,  Inf.,  Adj.  65th  Inf.  Brig,  made  Acting  Asst.  Chief  of  Staff 
G-3  by  same  order."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division. 

^^On  November  19,  French  forces,  headed  by  Marshal  Petain,  made  their  trium- 
phal entry  into  Metz.  On  November  20,  a  letter  from  the  Army  Commander  to  the 
Division  Commander  was  received  on  the  subject  of  "Instructions  for  Divisional 
Training,"  and  the  following  day  a  memorandum  relative  to  the  "Policing  of  Troyon" 
was  issued  by  Division  Headquarters. 

^^"  122  M.  G.  Bn.  from  South  Thillombois  to  Chaillon.  Issued  Training  Circular 
j^  200:  'Training  for  Division  for  first  week'  under  provisions  of  general  order  j^^ 
207  G.  H.  Q.  Issued  Training  Circular  j^  201  'Training  schedules  for  four  weeks'  as 
prescribed  under  provisions  of  general  order  ^  207  G.  H.  Q.  Issued  Divisional 
location  list."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^"These  places  are  grouped  about  Benoite  Vaux,  which  is  on  the  eastern  edge  of 
the  Bois  de  Meuse  about  four  and  one  half  kilometers  east  and  slightly  north  of  Isson- 
court  and  about  seven  kilometers  southeast  of  Souilly. 

^^See  above,  1:140,  147. 

^^" Issued  Conf.  Memo.  44  'Command  of  the  33rd  Div.  passed  to  Ninth  Corps  at 
12:00  hours  26th  Nov.  1918.'"  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  November,  1918.  This 
transfer  was  prescribed  by  Field  Order  No.  27,  Headquarters  Second  Army,  Novem- 
ber 26,  1918,  10:10  hours.  Paragraph  3  of  which  announced  that  "The  33rd  and  35th 
Divisions  and  the  62nd  and  151st  Artillery  Brigades  are  assigned  to  the  IX  Corps." 

^^"  Division  problem  carried  out  with  success.  Issued  Training  Circular  #  203 
'The  designation  of  an  Executive  Officer  in  Regiments  and  Companies  for  the  purpose 
of  inspections.'"  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  November  27,  191 8.  This  innovation 
was  introduced  by  General  Bell,  who  modeled  it  on  that  of  the  Navy  in  which  it  had 
been  long  employed  to  great  advantage.  The  executive  officer  was  required  to  make 
inspections  and  to  see  that  orders  from  higher  authority  were  complied  with.  He  did 
not  attend  training  himself,  but  his  functions  were  to  inspect  all  meals,  to  make  certain 
that  every  order  and  regulation  was  obeyed,  and  to  keep  his  unit  commander  thorough- 
ly informed  as  to  actual  conditions.  The  work  of  the  executive  officer  in  nowise 
relieved  the  organization  commander  of  responsibility. 

"66th  Inf.  Bde.  maneuver  carried  out."  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  November 
30,  1918. 

On  November  24th  the  Headquarters  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade  were  trans- 
ferred from  Mouilly  to  Genlcourt.  On  the  25th  and  26th  the  129th  Infantry  moved 
from  the  Troyon  sector  to  the  vicinity  of  Rupt-en-Woevre,  and  on  the  27th 
a  tactical  manoeuvre  in  liaison  was  executed  from  9  a.m.  until  i  p.m.  in  the  neighborhood 


NOTES  427 

of  La  Croix-sur-Meuse.  Report  on  the  Operations  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade, 
dated  February  28,  1919,   2:606. 

'^"Policing  of  Division  area  commenced,"  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  2, 
I918. 

^^"  December  ist,  the  units  of  the  brigade  were  located  in  rest  billets  in  the  Fort 
du  Troyon  Area,  France.  .  .  .  the  123rd  M.  G.  Battalion  having  moved  from  the  Bois 
de  Ranzieres  that  date."  Report  on  the  Operations  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade, 
2:606. 

^^Telegraphic  orders  from  the  Chief  of  Staff,  Second  Army,  to  the  Commanding 
General,  33rd  Division,  transmitted  by  telephone  and  received  December  2,  191 8,  at 
5:38  P.M. 

^''War  Diary,  33rd  Division;   Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division. 

^^"  Under  G-3,  orders  #  254,  Second  Army,  33rd  Division  relieved  from  assign- 
ment to  IX  Corps,  and  placed  in  Army  Reserve,  effective  15  hours,  Dec.  5th,  191 8." 
War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  5,  191 8.  G-^  Order  No.  254,  Headquarters  of 
the  Second  Army,  December  5,  191 8,  11:00  hours,  announced  that  "The  33rd  Division 
is  relieved  from  assignment  to  the  IX  Corps  and  placed  in  Army  Reserve,  Second  Army, 
effective  15  Hours,  December  5th." 

^°"i.  The  33rd  Division,  with  the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  attached,  will 
proceed  by  marching,  commencing  December  7th,  to  the  Leudelange  area  (southwest 
of  Luxembourg),  per  march  table  attached.  ..."  G-3  Order  No.  257,  Headquarters, 
Second  Army,  American  E.  F.,  France,  December  6,  1918,  9:40  Hours,  3:427. 

^^"  Issued  Field  Order  #  37,  and  March  Tables  for  Dec.  7th  &  8th.  Issued 
Memo.  ^  45 — 'Road  discipline,  stragglers,  etc'  Issued  Memo,  re  Policing,  prepara- 
tory to  move.  Issued  Memo.,  giving  Billeting  lists  for  Dec.  9th,  loth,  nth,  191 8." 
War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  6,  191 8. 

^^See  above,  1:260. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant.  The  Tables  of  Organization  then  in  force 
prescribed  that  an  infantry  division  have  768  truck-tons  of  transport,  either  in  2-ton 
or  3-ton  trucks  or  both.  The  33rd  Division,  after  turning  over  the  quota  required  of  it, 
had  only  about  four  hundred  truck-tons  and  those  which  remained  were  in  sad  need  of 
repair. 

^■^This  action  anticipated  by  a  considerable  time  the  requirements  prescribed  in 
the  following  order: 

"Headquarters  Second  Army, 
American  Expeditionary  Forces. 
General  Orders,  December  7,  191 8. 

No.  32. 

The  Second  Army  is  about  to  be  used  as  an  Army  of  Occupation. 
Accordingly  all  men,  animals  and  transportation  will  be  put  in  the  very  best 
possible  condition.     Special  attention  will  be  given  to  neatness  of  appearance  of 
animals,  but  fetlocks  will  not  be  trimmed.     A  careful  inspection  will  be  made  before 
any  division  or  organization  is  allowed  to  go  forward. 


428  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

No  time  must  be  lost  in  putting  all  units  in  condition  and  in  preparing  for  the 
inspection  that  will  shortly  be  held. 

By  Command  of  Lieutenant  General  Bullard: 

Stuart  Heintzelman, 
Official:  Chief  of  Staff. 

Philip  L.  Schuyler, 
Adjutant  General." 

^^See  the  Division  Commander's  first  indorsement,  February  i,  1919,  to  the  Report 
of  the  Commanding  Officer,  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  made  on  January  4,  1919, 
on  the  subject  of  the  "Condition  of  Motor  Transport  as  issued  to  this  Battalion," 
2'A93- 

^^Administrative  Bulletin  No.  48,  issued  by  the  Headquarters  Second  Army  on 
December  7,  191 8,  contained  the  following  information: 
"Commanding  General,  2nd  Army. 

You  are  informed  that  Treves  will  hereafter  be  considered  a  closed  town.  No  troops 
will  be  permitted  to  billet  in  this  city  without  direct  authority  from  these  Headquar- 
ters.    Please  inform  all  elements  of  your  command. 

By  order: 

Preston  Brown." 

^^"  io8th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Troyon  to  Avillers 

io8th  San.  Tr Moved  from  Troyon  to  Conflans 

1 08  th  Engs Moved  from  Tilly-sur-Meuse  to  Avillers 

io8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Moved  from  Troyon  to  Avillers 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Moved  from  Troyon  to  Puxe 

65th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Genicourt  to  Thillot 

66th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Deuxnouds  to  Labry 

"Issued  Annexes  #  2-3-4  to  Field  Order  #  27  'March  Tables  for  Dec.  9th-loth 
&  nth,  1918.' 

"Issued  Divisional  Location  List."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  7, 1918. 

^^"Div.  P.  C Moved  from  Troyon  to  Conflans 

Hq.  Troop Moved  from  Troyon  to  Conflans 

122  M.  G.  Bn Moved  from  Chaillon  to  Doncourt 

1 08th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Avillers  to  Labry 

io8th  San.  Tr Conflans 

io8th  Engs Moved  from  Avillers  to  Droitaumont 

io8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Moved  from  Avillers  to  Conflans 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Puxe 

65th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Thillot  to  Jarny 

66th  Inf.  Bde Labry 

647  officers         20,712  men       Cloudy  weather       Muddy  Roads       Good  Health. 

"Div.  Completed  move  from  Troyon  to  Conflans,  ordered  by  Field  Order  ^  37, 
33rd  Div."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  8,  1918. 

^^Commanding  General,  Second  Army,  to  Commanding  General,  33rd  Division, 
December  8,  191 8,  on  the  subject  of  "Relief  of  Detachments  of  the  5th  Division  by  the 


NOTES  429 

33rd  Division."     The  pith  of  these  instructions  was  contained  in  the  first  paragraph, 
which  ran  thus: 

"You  will  relieve,  by  detachments  of  your  division,  all  elements  of  the  5th  Division 
on  guard  and  police  duty  within  the  area  marked  'A'  on  the  accompanying  map  and 
which  surrounds  your  future  billeting  area,  as  shown  in  red  on  the  same  map.  Detach- 
ments from  other  divisions  of  this  Army  will  relieve  the  remainder  of  the  detachments 
of  the  5th  Division  at  an  early  date.  You  will  make  the  necessary  arrangements  direct 
with  the  Commanding  General,  5th  Division,  as  to  the  details  of  reliefs  and  will  obtain 
from  him  all  orders  and  instructions  as  may  have  been  issued  in  connection  therewith 
and  also  such  lists  of  material  turned  over  by  the  Germans  as  may  be  in  the  possession 
of  the  5th  Division.  It  is  desired  that  the  relief  be  completed  as  early  as  practicable 
and  that  upon  completion  of  the  relief  in  the  area  for  which  you  will  be  responsible, 
that  these  Headquarters  be  advised,  by  wire,  of  its  completion." 

*°In  passing  in  review  the  order  of  march  was  as  follows:  the  Commanding  Officer 
of  the  131st  Infantry  (Colonel  Sanborn),  the  band  from  American  General  Headquar- 
ters, the  Staff  of  the  73rd  French  Division,  the  battalion  of  the  131st  Infantry, 
French  infantry,  French  cavalry,  French  artillery,  French  tanks,  armoured  cars,  etc. 

^^See  the  extremely  graphic  and  interesting  bulletin  on  the  Formal  Occupation  of 
Metz,  issued  by  Colonel  Sanborn  to  the  131st  Infantry  on  December  13,  1918,3:429. 

*2"P.  C— Conflans 
Hq.  Troop — Conflans. 

1 22nd  M.  G.  Bn Moved  from  Doncourt  to  Briey 

io8th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Labry  to  Bettainvillers 

108th  San.  Tr Conflans 

io8th  Engrs Moved  from  Droitaumont  to  Briey 

1 08th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Moved  from  Conflans  to  Briey 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Moved  from  Puxe  to  Spincourt 

65th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Jarny  to  Norroy 

66th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Labry  to  Mancieulles 

Issued  Memo,  stating  truck  transportation  for  Div.  Hdq.  limited,  and  will  be 
dispatched  by  Transportation  Officer.  .  ."  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  9, 
1918. 

■*'" Headquarters,  Second  Army,  9th  December,  1918,  Commanding  General, 
33rd  Division. 

The  following  telegram  to  C.  G.  Ill  Army  repeated  for  your  information  and 
guidance  quote  No.  2344,  G-3,  period  The  Fifth  Division  is  transferred  to  the  II  Army 
and  will  be  maintained  on  its  present  duties  in  connection  with  lines  of  communication 
period  The  33rd  Division  is  transferred  to  the  III  Army  period  Actual  date  of  pissing 
of  command  will  be  arranged  by  conference  between  you  and  Commanding  General 
II  Army  period  By  order  Conner  period  end  quote  II  Army  letter  of  December  8 
comma  with  maps  comma  regarding  relief  of  detachments  of  Fifth  Division  by  33rd 
Division  revoked  period  Transmit  to  Fifth  Division  your  instructions  regarding  final 
billeting  area  and  your  instructions  of  December  8th  regarding  area  A  comma  which 
will  apply  to  the  Fifth  Division  comma  together  with  a  copy  of  above  quoted  telegram 


430  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

period     Continue  your  march   as  previously  ordered   period     Date   of  passing  of 
command  will  be  communicated  to  you  later  period     Acknowledge. 

Heintzelman." 

^^"Div.  P.  C Moved  from  Conflans  to  Aumetz 

Hdq.  Troops Moved  from  Conflans  to  Aumetz 

1 22nd  M.  G.  Bn Moved  from  Briey  to  Anderny 

1 08th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Bettainvillers  to  Aumetz 

io8th  San.  Tr Conflans 

108th  Engrs Moved  from  Briey  to  Murville 

io8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Moved  from  Briey  to  Beuvillers 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Moved  from  Spincourt  to  Longuyon 

65th  Inf.  Bde.. Moved  from  Norroy  to  Villerupt 

66th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  MancieuUes  to  Esch,  Lux. 

650  officers  20,924  men  Rainy  weather  Muddy  Road  Good  Health 
Good  Camp. 

"Division  completed  move  from  Conflans  to  Aumetz  ordered  by  F.  O.  ^  37, 
33rd  Div.,  dated  Dec.  6th,  1918."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  10,  1918. 

"  Div.  P.  C Aumetz 

Hdq.  Troop Aumetz 

122nd  M.  G.  Bn Moved  from  Anderny  to  Wollmeringen 

io8th  F.  S.  Bn Aumetz 

io8th  San.  Tr Moved  from  Conflans  to  Aumetz 

io8th  Eng Moved  from  Murville  to  Havange 

io8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Moved  from  Beuvillers  to  Berchem 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Moved  from  Longuyon  to  Longwy 

65th  Inf.  Bde Villerupt 

66th  Inf.  Bde Esch 

"Issued  Annex  ;^  5  to  F.  O.  j^  37  March  table  for  Dec.  12th,  1918.  Former 
March  table  suspended.  Telephone  conversation  with  Major  Cain,  G-3/VII  Corps 
substituted.     Remain  south  of  the  line  Luxembourg — Remich,  until  further  orders. 

"Issued  Memo,  stating  Div.  P.  C.  would  not  open  (at)  Leudelange,  but  would  open 
in  the  Casino,  Esch,  at  12  noon  Dec.  12th,  191 8."  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  Decem- 
ber II,  1918. 

"Div.  P.  C Moved  from  Aumetz  to  Esch 

Hdq.  Troop Moved  from  Aumetz  to  Esch 

122  M.  G.  Bn Moved  from  Wollmeringen  to  Schifi^ingen 

lo8th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Aumetz  to  Esch 

io8th  San.  Tr Moved  from  Aumetz  to  Schifflingen 

1 08th  Eng Moved  to  Havange  to  Kayl 

io8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Berchem 

55  th  F.  A.  Bde Moved  from  Longwy  to  Esch 

65th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Villerupt  to  Bertrangen 

66th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Esch  to  Hesperingen 

658  officers  20,786  men  Rainy  weather  Muddy  Roads  Good  Health 
Good  Camp. 


NOTES  431 

'Issued  Memo,  quoting  Memo  from  VII  Corps  Re:  Covering  by  outposts,  when  in 
Bivouac,  on  the  march,  etc. 

"Issued  Training  Circular  #  204."  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  12, 
1918. 

■^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^''Div.Hq Esch 

Hdq.  Troop Esch 

122  M.  G.  Bn Shifflange 

loSthF.  S.  Bn Esch 

io8th  San.  Tr Shifflange 

108  th  Eng Kayl 

108th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Berchem  to  Hesperingen 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Esch 

65th  Inf.  Bde Bertrangen 

66th  Inf.  Bde Hesperingen 

663  Officers     20,753  Men     Rainy  Weather     Muddy  Roads. 

"Issued  Field  Order  #  38  Move  of  Div.  to  Saarburg  Area. 

"Issued  Annex  #  i  to  F.  O.  #  38  March  table  for  Dec.  14th,  191 8."  War 
Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  13,  1918. 

^^"Div.  Hdq Esch 

Hdq.  Troop Esch 

122  M.  G.  Bn Moved  from  Shifflange  to  Mondorf 

108th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Esch  to  Itzig 

io8th  San.  Tr Moved  from  Esch  to  Sandweiler 

108th  Eng Moved  from  Kayl  to  Altzingen 

lo8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.P. . .  .Moved  from  Hesperingen  to  Mensdorf 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Moved  from  Esch  to  Remich 

65th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Bertrangen  to  Neideranven 

66th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Hesperingen  to  Remich 

"Issued  Annexes  ^  2  and  #3  (March  Tables  for  Dec.  15th  &  i6th,  1918)  to 
Field  Order  No.  38,  33rd  Div. 

"Issued  Plan  of  Liaison,  in  connection  with  Field  Order  #  38."  War  Diary, 
33rd  Division,  December  14,  191 8. 

*^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^"Copy  of  telegram  from  the  3rd  Army  to  the  Commanding  General,  7th  Army 
Corps. 

201  G-3  Number  of  divisions  to  enter  Germany  is  limited  to  eight  period  33rd 
Division  will  be  transferred  to  2nd  Army  at  a  later  date  period  This  division  will  at 
once  be  halted  in  place  comma  except  that  any  elements  of  it  that  may  have  entered 
Germany  will  be  withdrawn  west  of  the  German-Luxembourg  frontier  period  Repeat 
to  33rd  Division  and  acknowledge  period 

Craig,  Chief  of  Staff. 
To  Commanding  General  33rd  Division  for  information  and  compliance. 

Brees,  Chief  of  Staff. 
The  order  directing  this  transfer  is  to  be  arranged  by  the  two  generals  of  the  2nd  and 
3rd  Army,  and  will  probably  take  place  at  Noon  12  hours  on  the  17th." 


432  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

5°"Div.  P.C Esch 

Hq.  Troop Esch 

1 22nd  M.  G.  Bn Moved  from  Mondorf  to  Canach 

io8th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Itzig  to  Horstert 

io8th  San.  Tr Moved  from  Sandweiler  to  Grevenmacher 

io8th  Engrs Moved  from  Altzingen  to  Senningen 

loSth  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Mensdorf 

65th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Neideranven  to  Manternach 

66th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Remich  to  Saarburg 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Remich 

661  Officers  20,699  Men        Rainy  weather        Fair  Roads        Good  Health 

Good  Camp. 

"Rec'd  notification  from  VII  Corps  that  the  Division  would  be  halted  in  place,  and 
any  elements  now  over  the  border  would  be  withdrawn  west  of  the  German-Luxem- 
bourg frontier. 

"Issued  instructions  to  all  units  to  stand,  and  withdraw  any  units  over  the  line. 

"March  Table  for  Dec.  i6th  annulled."  War  Diary,33rdDivision,  December  15, 
1918. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^"Div.  P.  C Esch 

Hq.  Troop Esch 

1 22  M.  G.  Bn Canach 

io8th  F.  S.  Bn Horstert 

io8th  San.  Tr Grevenmacher 

io8th  Engrs Senningen 

io8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Mensdorf 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Remich 

65th  Inf.  Bde Manternach 

66th  Inf.  Bde Saarburg 

672  Officers  20,501  Men       Rainy  Weather       Muddy  Roads       Good  Health 

Good  Camp. 

"Notified  65th  &  66th  &  55th  F.  A.  Bde.  by  telegram  to  move  units,  across  the 
German  border,  back."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  16,  1918. 

^^" December  i6th: 
Account  further  movement  forward  in  accordance  with  Field  Orders  No.  38, 
Hdqrs.  33rd  Division  and  Annexes  thereto,  having  been  canceled,  the  units  of  the 
brigade  remained  in  staging  areas  in  which  they  were  located  December  15th,  with  the 
exception  of  the  ist  Battalion  and  Supply  Company,  130th  Infantry,  which  were  moved 
back  from  Oberbillig,  Germany,  to  Manternach  and  Wasserbillig,  Luxembourg,  an 
average  distance  of  1 1  kilometers,  respectively,  where  they  remained  until  the  morning 
of  Dec.  19th.  ..."  Report  of  Operations  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  dated 
February  28,  1919,  2:609. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^This  transfer  was  announced  by  General  Order  No.  151,  Headquarters  33rd 
Division,  December  17,  191 8. 


NOTES  433 

*^"Div.  P.  C Moved  from  Esch  to  Grevenmacher 

Hdq.  Troop Moved  from  Esch  to  Grevenmacher 

122  M.  G.  Bn Canach 

io8th  F.  S.  Bn Horstert 

io8th  San.  Tr Grevenmacher 

loSth  Eng Senningen 

lo8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Mensdorf 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Remich 

65th  Inf.  Bde Manternach 

66th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Saarburg  to  Remich 

667  Officers  20,461  Men       Rainy  Weather      Muddy  Roads       Good  Health 

Good  Camp. 

"Command  passed  from  III  Army  to  II  Army  at  12  hours,  17th  Dec.  1918,  and 
placed  in  Army  Reserve. 

"Issued  orders  for  108th  Eng.,  io8th  F.  S.  Bn.,  Hdq.  Troop,  Mil.  Police, Tn.  Hdq. 
to  move  Dec.  i8th  to  final  destination."  War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  17, 
1918. 

''^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^"Prescribed  by  Field  Order  No.  31,  Headquarters  Second  Army,  December  18, 
191 8,  24  hours. 

^^"  Div.  P.  C Grevenmacher 

Hdq.  Troop Grevenmacher 

1 22  M.  G.  Bn Canach 

io8th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Horstert  to  Heffingen 

io8th  San.  Tr Grevenmacher 

io8th  Eng Moved  from  Senningen  to  Medernach 

io8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P... .  Moved  from  Mensdorf  to  Diekirch 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Remich 

65th  Inf.  Bde Manternach 

66th  Inf.  Bde Remich 

669  Officers  20,493  Men  Rainy  Weather  Muddy  Roads  Good  Health 
Good  Camp. 

"Issued  orders  for  65th  &  66th  Bdes.  to  move  Dec.  19th.  Also  55th  F.  A.  Bde. 
Orders  for  66th  Bde.  &  122  M.G.  Bn.  to  move  Dec.  20th,  1918. 

Command  of  the  ;}3  Div.  passed  from  II  Army  Reserve  to  VI  Army  Corps. 
II  Army  F.  O.  No.  31."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  18,  191 8. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  Esch  had  been  vacated 
with  unusual  haste  on  December  17  to  make  room  for  the  5th  Division. 

"  Div.  P.  C Moved  from  Grevenmacher  to  Diekirch 

Hdq.  Troop Moved  from  Grevenmacher  to  Diekirch 

122  M.  G.  Bn Canach 

io8th  F.  S.  Bn Moved  from  Heffingen  to  Diekirch 

108  th  San.  Tr Moved  from  Grevenmacher  to  Diekirch 

io8th  Engrs Medernach 

(!) 


434  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

108th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Diekirch 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Remich 

65th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Manternach  to  Ettelbruck 

66th  Bde Remich 

671  Officers     20,480  Men     Rainy  Weather     Muddy  Roads." 
War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  19,  191 8. 

^''Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^" December  20th: 

"The  various  units  of  the  brigade  completed  themovement  back  into  Second  Army 
Area  in  Luxembourg,  as  follows:  129th  Infantry  Headquarters,  Headquarters  Co.,  and 
1st  Battalion,  Larochette  to  Ettelbruck,  11  kilometers;  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Inf., 
Christnach  to  Ettelbruck,  11  kilometers;  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Inf.,  and  Machine  Gun 
Co.,  Heffingen  to  Schieren,  12  kilometers;  129th  Supply  Co.,  Heffingen  to  Warken,  12 
kilometers;  130th  Infantry  Headquarters,  Headquarters  Supply  Co.,  and  3rd  Bn. 
Junglinster,  to  Bettendorf,  Gilsdorf,  Ermsdorf  and  Eppeldorf,  26  kilometers;  130th 
Machine  Gun  Co.,  Altlinster  to  Beaufort,  20  kilometers;  ist  Bn.  130th  Infantry, 
Bourglinster  to  Bettendorf,  28  kilometers  2nd  Bn.,  130th  Infantry,  Bourglinster  to 
Reisdorf  and  MostrofF,  26  kilometers;  123rd  M.  G.  Battalion,  Fishbach  to  Erpeldingen 
and  Ingeldorf,  22  kilometers.  Brigade  remained  in  this  area  up  to  and  including 
December  31st."     Report  of  Operations  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:609. 

«^"Div.  P.C Diekirch 

Hdq.  Troop Diekirch 

122  M.  G.  Bn Canach 

io8th  F.  S.  Bn Diekirch 

io8th  San.  Tr Diekirch 

io8th  Eng Medernach 

io8th  Tn.  Hq.  &  M.  P...  .Diekirch 

55th  F.  A.  Bde Remich 

65th  Inf.  Bde Ettelbruck 

66th  Inf.  Bde Moved  from  Remich  to  Chateau  Meysembourg. 

676  Officers  20,452  Men  Rainy  Weather  Muddy  Roads  Good  Health 
Good  Camp." 

War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  20,  191 8. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^  "Headq,uarters  Second  Army, 

American  E.  F. 
France,  20,  December, 191 8. 
To:  Commanding  General, 

33rd  Division, 

American  E.  F. 
1705  hrs  period  Number  three  six  eight  G-three  period  Following  repeated  for 
your  information  and  compliance  Quote  Commanding  General  Second  Army  comma 
Information  from  Headquarters  Allied  Commander-in-Chief  indicates  certain  amount 
of  unrest  among  inhabitants  of  Luxemburg  in  region  of  Echternach  period  While  so 
far  it  has  been  of  apolitical  nature  and  it  is  not  desired  to  interfere  at  all  in  the  politics 
of  Luxemburg  the  Allied  Commander-in-Chief  has  received  information  which  indicates 
there  may  possibly  be  a  certain  amount  of  disorder  period     It  is  desired  that  you  take 


NOTES  435 

all  necessary  measures  to  suppress  any  disorder  should  such  occur  period     By  order 
Conner  period     Unquote    Acknowledge  and  report  action  taken  period 

Heintzelman." 

^^Telegram  handed  in  at  Toul,  December  19,  1918. 

"To  General  George  Bell, 
Hdqrs.  33rd  Division. 

G  number  eight  four  period  As  Senior  Division  Commander  in  the  Sixth  Corps 
the  Army  Commander  directs  that  you  assume  command  of  that  Corps  until  further 
orders  period  The  Corps  Headquarters  now  at  Saizerais  is  directed  to  open  at  Piemes 
twelve  hours  twenty-third  December  period    Acknowledge. 

Heintzelman." 

^''Paragraph  four  of  General  Order  No.   152  issued  by  the  Headquarters  33rd 
Division  on  December  20,  191 8,  ran  thus: 
"  IV    Food  For  French  Civilians. 

"i.  The  distribution  of  food  to  French  civilians  by  American  organizations  was 
provided  for  in  instructions  which  were  published  in  G.  O.  143,  Sec.  VI,  these  Head- 
quarters. Memorandum  46,  Sec.  I,  these  headquarters,  stated  that  no  further  ration- 
ing of  the  French  civilian  population  would  be  made  by  American  organizations  until 
further  instructions. 

"2.  The  instructions  now  in  effect  in  this  regard  are  contained  in  a  letter  from 
Headquarters,  Second  Army,  dated  6th  December,  191 8,  to  Commanding  General, 
33rd  Division,  which  letter  is  as  follows: 

'"  I.  Many  requests  seem  to  be  coming  in  to  the  organizations  in  this  Army  from 
French  civilians  for  rations.  The  following  telegram  from  G.  H.  Q.  is  quoted  for  your 
information  and  action. 

"'"Number  8175-S-4.  Reference  our  number  6276  G-#  and  supplementary 
telegrams.  Our  only  agreement  with  French  for  supply  civil  population  definitely 
limited  to  'food  of  first  necessity'  for  population  towns  liberated  by  our  troops  until 
civil  authorities  could  bring  up  their  own  supplies  which  was  definitely  understood 
would  not  exceed  more  than  four  or  five  days  at  maximum.  It  is  now  eighteen  days 
since  armistice  was  signed  and  since  French  are  refusing  to  supply  sufficient  railroad 
facilities  to  bring  up  necessary  food  for  our  own  troops  you  will  supply  no  more  food 
for  French  civilian  population  pending  further  instructions,  and  certainly  not  until  the 
supply  of  our  own  armies  is  first  assured.  Notify  accordingly  French  authorities 
making  request.     Signed,  Moseley." 

^^"  During  the  period  December  21st  to  31st,  inclusive,  the  entire  time  was  spent 
by  all  units  of  the  brigade  resting,  cleaning  equipment,  attending  to  routine  of  camp 
duties  and  carrying  out  miscellaneous  training."  Report  of  Operations  of  the  65th 
Infantry  Brigade,  2:610. 

^^Adjutant  General,  Second  Army,  to  Commanding  Generals,  Vlth  Corps,  Ilnd 
Corps,  5th,  7th,  28th,  33rd,  35th,  79th  and  88th  Divisions,  and  Army  Air  Service 
Commander,  on  the  subject  of  Suspension  of  Training,  dated  Headquarters  Second 
Army,  December  21,  191 8.  All  divisional  courses  of  instruction  were  directed  to  be 
suspended  for  the  two  weeks  from  December  22  to  January  4,  and  the  drills  and  man- 
oeuvres prescribed  by  General  Order  No.  207,  G.  H.  Q.  concluded  "before  noon  of  the 
period  from  December  26  to  31  inclusive." 
<ii) 


436  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^  Headquarters  Secokd  Army 

American  E.  F., 

France,  23  December,  191 8. 

To:    COMMANDNG  GeNERAL, 

33rd  Division,  Diekirch. 
1500  Hrs  period     Number  three  nine  one  G-three  period     Reference  your  telegram 
December  23rd  regarding  situation  at  Echternach  comma  Army  Commander  calls 
your  attention  to  orders  from  General  Headquarters  which  require  that  you   stand 
ready  to  suppress  any  disorders  in  that  vicinity  should  they  occur. 

Heintzelman." 
Telegram  addressed  to  General  George  Bell,  33rd  Division,  which  was  received 
at  the  P.  C.  of  the  33rd  Division  on  December  24,  1918,  at  5:40  p.m.: 

"G  number  91  period  Reference  G  Number  84  period  Directing  you  as  senior 
Division  Commander  to  assume  command  of  the  6th  Corps  comma  G.  H.  Q.  states 
that  no  Corps  Commander  will  be  designated  period  Consequently  Army  Commander 
has  decided  that  the  6th  Corps  will  function  under  his  own  immediate  command 
period  He  expects  to  spend  part  of  his  time  at  6th  Corps  Hdqrs.  period  The  Chief 
of  Staff  will  issue  orders  and  instructions  pursuant  to  the  Army  Commander's  orders 
thus  given  period  The  Chief  of  Staff  Sixth  Corps  has  been  directed  to  issue  the  follow- 
ing orders  quote  Pending  the  designation  of  a  Corps  Commander  by  G.  H.  Q.  the  Sixth 
Corps  Staff  will  function  under  authority  of  the  Army  Commander  end  quote  period 
Acknowledge. 

Heintzelman." 

General  Bell's  relief  was  also  announced  in  Paragraph  i.  General  Order  No.  9, 
Headquarters,  Sixth  Army  Corps,  December  24,1918. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^G-3  Order  No.  357,  dated  Headquarters  Second  Army,  American  E.  F.,  France, 
26  December,  1918,  12:30  hours  directed  that: 

"i.  The  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  including  the  io8th  Ammunition  Train, 
will  proceed  overland  to  rejoin  the  33rd  Division  in  the  Diekirch  area  commencing 
28th  December,  1918.  ..." 

G-3  Order  No.  359,  bearing  the  same  address  and  date  but  at  17:10  hours  announ- 
ced that: 

"  I.  The  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  including  the  105th  Ammunition  Train,  is 
relieved  from  duty  with  the  33rd  Division,  and  will  proceed  by  marching  to  join  the 
28th  Division  in  the  Woinville  area,  commencing  30th  December,  1919.  .  .  ."  Both 
of  these  orders  were  received  at  the  message  centre  of  the  33rd  Division  at  Diekirch 
on  December  27,  191 8,  at  12:10  p.m. 

'^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant.  The  condition  of  that  brigade  is  fully  set  forth 
in  the  following  telegram  sent  from  Stenay  on  December  26,  191 8,  to  G-3,  2nd  Army, 
Toul: 

"Number  three  six  naught  period  Retel  your  wire  No.  four  one  one  G-Three 
directing  Fifty  eight  F.  A.  Brigade  to  rejoin  Thirty  third  Division  movement  to  com- 
mence December  twenty  eighth  period  It  will  be  impossible  to  start  movement  at 
that  date  period  Although  animals  have  just  been  received  there  is  no  harness  on 
hand  and  the  Horse  Regiments  are  immobile  period     In  compliance  with  instructions 


NOTES  437 

from  Headquarters  of  the  First  Army  all  harness  was  turned  in  when  the  animals  were 
transferred  to  the  First  and  Second  F.  A.  Brigades  period  Receipt  of  harness  being 
arranged  for  through  Chief  Ordinance  Officer  and  M.  T.  O.  G-Four  Second  Army 
period  Lack  of  motor  transportation  will  prevent  Brigade  from  taking  delivery  of 
harness  without  proper  assistance  and  upon  receipt  of  harness  some  days  will  be  required 
for  proper  distribution  and  adjustment  period.  All  seventy-five  guns  and  caissons  also 
in  compliance  with  orders  from  the  First  Army  are  now  parked  at  railhead  at  Dun-sur- 
Meuse  period. 

Todd,  Brigadier  General  commanding, 
58th  F.  A.  Brigade." 

^*  "Headquarters  Second  Army, 

American  E.  F., 
France,  27  December,  1918. 
Commanding  General, 

33rd  Division, 
Diekirch. 
1200  hrs  period     Number  four  one  six  G  three  period    The  movement  of  the  fifty 
eighth  Field  Artillery  Brigade  to  join  your  division  which  was  to  have  commenced 
December  twenty  eighth  has  been  temporarily  delayed  period    You  will  be  advised 
later  when  the  movement  will  take  place  period     Acknowledge  period 

Heintzelman." 

^"Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^i"Div.  P.  C Diekirch 

Hq.  Troop Diekirch 

122nd  M.  G.  Bn Niederfeulen 

108th  F.  S,  Bn Diekirch 

108th  San.  Tr Diekirch 

io8th  Eng Medernach 

1 08  th  Tr.  Hq.  &  M.P Diekirch 

55th  F.  A.  Brig Remich 

65th  Inf.  Brig Ettelbruck 

66th  Inf.  Brig Chateau  Meysembourg,  Schonfels 

578  officers     16,698  men     Cloudy  weather. 
55th  F.  A.  Brig,  relieved  from  command  33rd  Div.  by  G-^  orders  ^  359  Hdq. 
sndfArmy  but  assigned  to  command  by   telegram  again.     For  this  reason  no  War 
Diary  submitted.  .  .  ."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  December  31,  1918. 

^^G-3  Orders  No.  374,  dated  Headquarters  Second  Army,  American  Expeditionary 
Forces,  France,  December  31,  191 8,  17:00  Hours,  was  as  follows: 

"Paragraphs  i  and  3,  G-3  Orders  No.  359,  Second  Army,  dated  26th  December, 
1918,  are  changed  to  read  as  follows: 

'i.  The  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  Including  the  105  Ammunition  Train,  is 
relieved  from  duty  with  the  33rd  Division  and  will  proceed  overland  to  join  the  28th 
Division  in  the  Wolnville  area,  commencing  6th  January,  1919. 

"2.  All  elements  of  the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  must  be  south  of  the  line 
Arlon-Kopsal-Lorentzweiler,  not  later  than  7th  January,  1919.  The  town  of  BIssen 
must_be  vacated  on  6th  January,  1919,  by  the  55th  Field  Artillery  Brigade." 


438  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

G-2  Orders  No.  375,  issued  on  the  same  date  and  at  the  same  hour,  prescribed 

that: 

''Paragraphs  i,  4,  6  and  7,  G-3  Orders  No.  357,  Second  Army,  dated  26  December, 

1918,  are  changed  to  read  as  follows: 

"'The    58th   Field  Artillery   Brigade,  including  the  io8th  Ammunition  Train,  is 

relieved  from  duty  with  the  79th  Division  and  will  proceed  overland  to  join  the  33rd 

Division  in  the  Diekirch  area  commencing  4th  January,  1919.  .  .  .'" 

^^"Div.  Hdqrs Diekirch 

Hq.  Troop Diekirch 

122  M.  G.  Bn Niederfeulen 

108th  F.  S.  Bn Diekirch 

io8th  San.  Tr Diekirch 

io8th  Engrs Medernach 

lo8th  Tr.  Hq.  &  M.P Diekirch 

1 08  th  Supply  Tr Mersch 

33rd  M.  P.  Co Diekirch 

58th  F.  A.  Brig Stenay 

65th  Inf.  Brig Ettelbruck 

66th  Inf.  Brig Meysembourg 

777  officers  1 

'  >  available  for  duty  Cold  &  Cloudy  Weather  Poor  Roads 

22,872  men  j 

Good  Health     Good  Camp." 

War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  January  i,  1919. 

^*See  above,  1:272  ff. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^®"  Issued  Training  Circular  No.  i  stating  Div.  enters  upon  a  4  week  training 
period  beginning  Jan.  6th,  following  program  prescribed  in  G.  O.  236,  G.  H.  Q. 

"Issued  Training  Cir.  No.  2,  Commencing  Jan.  14  an  inspection  will  be  made  of  all 
horse  transport  of  the  Div.  3  officers  will  be  detailed  to  make  an  inspection  of  Animals, 
3  to  report  upon  harness  and  leather,  and  3  to  examine  Vehicles  and  Equipment  of  the 
men."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  January  4,  1919. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant.  The  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  was  inspected 
January  13  by  General  Bowley,  Chief  of  Artillery  of  the  Vlth  Corps,  and  January  23 
by  General  Aultman,  Chief  of  Artillery  of  the  Second  Army.  Record  of  Events,  58th 
Field  Artillery  Brigade,  January,  1919,  3:25i- 

^^Lack  of  transport  in  the  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  necessitated  a  number  of 
trucks  being  sent  from  the  33rd  Division  to  assist  its  march. 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^''"55th  F.  A.  Bde.  completed  move  from  Div.  Area.  58th  Arty,  Bde.  completed 
move  into  Divisional  Area."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  January  8,  1919- 

^^"  Movement  overland  and  from  Stenay  to  Diekirch  area — 60  miles — begins  Jan. 
4th  and  ends  Jan.  10,  over  route  Stenay,  Montmedy,  Virton,  Arlon  to  destination." 
Record  of  Events,  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  January,  1919,  3:250. 

"Entire  58th  Field  Artillery  Brigade  has  rejoined  and  is  billeted:  Hdqrs.  at  Schon- 
fels,  122nd  F.  A.  at  Bissen,  123rd  F.  A.  at  Lintgen,  124th  F.  A.  at  Berschbach,  io8th 
Ammunition  Train  at  Tuntingen."     Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant,  January  10, 


NOTES  439 

1919.  The  io8th  Trench  Mortar  Battery,  which  had  been  attached  to  the  Army 
Artillery,  First  Army,  since  November  29,  1918,  had  received  orders  on  January  3, 
191 9,  to  prepare  for  return  to  the  United  States  and  had  left  Souilly  for  Angers  on 
January  8. 

^^The  following  message  was  received  by  telephone  at  the  message  centre  of  the 
33rd  Division  at  Diekirch  on  January  8,  1919,  at  12:15  P-m. 

"Headquarters  6th  Corps,  January  8,  1919.  Following  telegram  repeated  for 
your  information  and  action  indicated  therein  colon  quote  Headquarters  A.  E.  F. 
January  8,  1919.  Commanding  General,  Second  Army,  Toul  period  Y-274.  The 
funeral  of  ex-President  Roosevelt  is  announced  for  Wednesday  afternoon,  January  8th. 
Each  military  post  and  station  will  display  National  Flag  at  half  mast  and  the  troops 
will  be  paraded  and  this  announcement  read  to  them  at  3:00  p.m.  on  the  day  of  the 
funeral.  The  ex-President's  salute  of  twenty-one  guns  will  be  fired.  Notify  all  posts 
and  organizations  under  your  command.     (Signed)  Davis  Unquote. 

(Signed)     Schuyler. 

The  Corps  Commander  directs  that  you  take  action  as  directed  above  throughout 
your  command. 

Collins,  Chief  of  Staff." 

^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^*"66th  Inf.  Brig,  moved  from  Meysembourg  to  Echternach."  War  Diary,  33rd 
Division,  January  11,  1919. 

^^These  schools,  officially  designated  as  the  Division  Training  Centre,  opened  at 
Vianden  on  January  13,  in  conformity  with  Training  Circular  No.  4,  issued  on  January 
8,  1919.     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  January  13,  1919. 

^^Report  of  Operations  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade,  2:611. 

^^Paragraph  14,  Special  Order  No.  19,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  January  19, 
1919. 

^^General  Order  No.  9,  dated  January  19,  1919,  3:432. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  the  ceremony  of  presentation  of  these  Medals  of  Honor  did 
not  occur  until  Monday,  February  10.  The  Stars  and  Stripes,  February  14,  1919, 
stated  that  "The  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor  .  .  .  has  been  won  by  only  47  men  in 
the  present  war,  and  of  these  47,  16  are  dead." 

^^Corporals  Paul  F.  Hobscheid,  Jake  Allex,  and  Stephen  M.  Mance,who  had  then 
become  sergeants. 

'■'^Sergeants  Sidney  C.  McGuire,  and  George  B.  Gourley,  Corporals  Walter  N. 
Larson,  Walter  G.  Peabody,  and  Frank  L.  Mills,  and  Privates  Mathew  Thorneycroft, 
Gordon  Wickhan,  Charles  W.  Michaelis,  Charles  C.  Bark,  Dickson  A.  Woodward, 
C.  C.  Dunne,  Ragnar  Liljeberg,  W.  A.  Anderson,  and  William  Curr,  and  Mechanic 
Anton  J.  Watkin.  At  that  time  Corporals  Larson,  Peabody,  and  Mills  and  Privates 
Thorneycroft  and  Wickhan  had  been  promoted  to  sergeants,  and  Privates  Michaelis, 
Bark,  and  Woodward  had  become  corporals.  British  decorations  had  also  been 
awarded  to  the  following  men  of  the  131st  Infantry,  who  for  various  reasons  were  not 
present: 

Distinguished  Conduct  Medal:  Private  Frank  J.  Kostak.  Military  Medal: 
Sergeants  J.  Breakey,  William  Scholes,  and  Louis  R.  Rivers;  Corporals  C.  Somnitz  and 
N.  Lieberman;  and  Privates  R.  Redding,  Harry  Stokes,  David  T.  Leahy,  S.  De  Borris, 
G.  F.  Gaston,  and  Albert  P.  Holmes. 


440  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^"^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant:  About  a  week  later  General  Bell  received  the 
following  letter: 

"Neuwied, 

23,  Jany.  19, 
My  dear  General  Bell. 

I  must  write  to  thank  you  for  the  very  pleasant  time  I  had  at  Diekirch — and  for 
the  extremely  cordial  reception  given  me  at  Larochette. 

It  was  a  great  honour  to  be  allowed  to  inspect  the  131st  and  to  speak  to  them. 
It  will  be  a  day  that  I  shall  always  remember. 

Above  all  I  have  seen — and  I  shall  tell  the  King — how  the  33rd  Division  regard 
their  former  friends  in  the  British  Army.  I  think  friendships  were  made,  and  ties 
cemented,  in  those  few  months  last  year,  which  will  last  for  the  good  of  the  world. 

I  hope  I  shall  see  you  again  before  you  vanish  back  to  the  United  States. 

Again  many  thanks  for  your  kindness  to  me  personally — it  was  of  a  kind  I  shall 
always  remember. 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

(Signed)     C.  M.  Wagstaff." 

^"^General  Order  No.  11,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  Luxembourg,  January  24, 
1919,  3:433.  This  corrected  copy  of  General  Order  No.  232,  General  Headquarters, 
A.  E.  F.,  dated  December  19, 1918,  has  already  been  quoted  on  page  233.  The  original 
General  Order  No.  232,  bearing  the  same  date,  was  published  to  the  33rd  Division  in 
Bulletin  No.  141  on  December  28,  1918.  In  them  no  mention  was  made  of  "the 
Second  Colonial  and  Seventeenth  French  Corps"  nor  of  "the  loth  and  15th  French 
Colonial  divisions"  and  "the  i8th  and  26th  French  Divisions"  which  composed  them 
and  which  formed  part  of  the  First  American  Army  during  the  Meuse-Argonne  Battle. 
These  French  Corps  and  Divisions  were  inserted  in  the  corrected  copy  issued  by 
General  Headquarters. 

^°^G-3  Order  No.  19,  Headquarters  VI  Arrtiy  Corps,  A.  E.  F.,  January  31,  I9I9> 
12  hours,  3:435.     Paragraph  3  of  these  orders  read  thus: 

"3.  33rd  Division  Police  Area:  That  part  of  VI  Army  Corps  area  east  and  north 
of  a  line,  point  northwest  of  Hobscheid  at  junction  of  Belgian-Luxembourg  boundary 
and  northern  boundary  of  Commune  of  Capellen  (Luxembourg),  south  along  the 
Belgian-Luxembourg  boundary  to  a  point  east  of  Autel  Bas  (Belgium) — east,Bettingen 
(excl) — Capellen  (incl) — Strassen  (excl) — Eich  (excl) — Contern  (incl) — Waldbredemus 
(incl) — Wellenstein  (excl)." 

^"^See  above,  1:272-273. 

^''^War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  February  6,  7,  13,  20,  and  21,  1919. 

^"""Beginning  of  2nd  week  of  3rd  training  period  in  accordance  with  provisions 
of  G.  O.  236,  G.  H.  Q."     Ibid,  February  10,  1919. 

^^"^'^  I.  Issued  Training  Cir.  No.  22  quoting  G-5  Training  Memorandum  No.  26, 
Hdq.  Second  Army,  regarding  tactical  walk,  athletic  exercises  etc.  Authority  has  been 
obtained  from  the  Commander  in  Chief  to  change  the  work  of  training  insomuch  that 
tactical  walk  will  be  substituted  for  the  Brigade  terrain  exercises  until  further  notice." 
Ibid.y  February  19,  1919. 

^'^^Ibid.,  February  27,  1919.     This  program  was  to  go  into  effect  on  March  3. 

^"^See  above,  1:273. 


NOTES  441 

^^°War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  February  11,  1919. 

^^^"  Issued  Division  Location  List. 

"Issued  Training  Cir.  #  28  outlining  Training  sciiool  for  enlisted  men  of  the 
Ammunition,  Supply  and  Sanitary  Trains  and  of  the  Transport  sections  of  those  units 
equipped  with  Animal  Transport."     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  February  25,  1919. 

^^^"i.  Issued  Training  Cir.  No.  29  quoting  telegram  from  G.  H.  Q.,  regarding 
A.  E.  F.  Universities  for  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  A.  E.  F.  at  Beaune,  Cote  d'Or. 
Applications  must  be  in  the  office  of  G-3  not  later  than  12  hours  fourth  March,  1919. 

"2.  Issued  Memorandum  #  19  quoting  telegram  from  G.  H.  Q.  regarding  officers 
and  soldiers  qualified  to  teach  in  the  A.  E.  F.  University.  Application  of  officers  and 
soldiers  qualified  to  teach  will  be  in  the  office  of  G-3  not  later  than  12  hours  4th  of 
March,  1919."     I^U.,  February  28,  1919. 

^^^Paragraph  1 1  of  Special  Order  No.  53,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  February  22, 
1919,  opened  thus: 

"11.  In  compliance  with  instructions,  Chief  of  Staff,  Vlth  Corps,  dated  19th 
February,  1919,  and  also  telegraphic  instructions,  Vlth  Corps,  wire  162-G-3,  dated 
20th  February,  1919,  the  following  officers  and  enlisted  men  will  report  on  the  24th 
February,  1919,  to  General  Bjornstadt,  Menil-la-Tour,  France,  for  course  of  instruction 
in  game  of  'Doughboy'  at  Royaumeix,  Meurthe  et  Moselle."  Then  followed  the  list 
twenty-eight  officers  and  twenty-nine  enlisted  men,  ending  with  the  necessary  in- 
tructions  as  to  bedding  rolls,  blankets,  mess  equipment,  transportation,  rations,  hour 
of  entraining  at  Mersch,  etc. 

"Memorandum  No.  18  regarding  course  of  instructions  at  Royaumeix,  Meurthe  et 
Moselle  in  the  game  of  'Doughboy'"  was  also  issued  that  day.  War  Diary,  33rd 
Division,  February  20,  1919. 

^^^The  following  paragraph  of  General  Bell's  indorsement  will  afford  a  fair  under- 
standing of  the  condition  of  the  motor  transport  allotted  to  the  33rd  Division  shortly 
before  it  went  into  the  line  at  Verdun  on  September  7-10,  1919: 

"At  Tronville  we  received  169  trucks,  the  Medical  Department  were  given  22 — 7 
of  which  would  run  and  15  had  to  be  hauled  off.  Of  the  remaining  147  delivered  to  the 
Supply  Train,  68  would  not  start  and  needed  vital  parts.  In  order  to  move  such  of 
these  trucks  as  could  be  used,  it  was  necessary  to  salvage  17  to  get  the  spare  parts  to 
move  the  balance,  and  even  then  22  more  had  to  be  towed  to  our  next  station." 

^^^War  Diary,  33rd  Division. 

^^^Memorandum  No.  15,  Headquarters,  33rd  Division,  February  3,  1919, 
3:437- 

^^^General  Bell  assumed  command  of  the  Vlth  Corps  by  virtue  of  telegraphic 
instructions  from  the  Second  Army,  dated  February  3,  1919,  and  also  Paragraph  i, 
General  Order,  No.  4,  Headquarters  Sixth  Army  Corps,  February  3,  1919.  He  was 
relieved  of  the  command  of  the  Vlth  Corps  by  Paragraph  i.  General  Order  No.  5, 
Headquarters,  Sixth  Army  Corps,  February  18,  1919. 

^^^G-3  Order  No.  20,  Headquarters  VI  Army  Corps,  February  7,  1919,  10  hours, 
3:438,  of  which  the  final  paragraph  read  thus: 

"3.  33rd  Division  Area:  That  part  of  the  VI  Army  Corps  Area  east  and  north 
of  a  line:  point  on  Belgian-Luxembourg  boundary  east  of  Toutelange— South  along 
Belgian-Luxembourg  boundary  to  point  east  of  Autel  Bas  (Belgium) — east,  Bettingen 


442  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

(excl) — Capellen  (incl) — Strassen  (excl) — Eich  (excl) — Contern  (incl) — Waldbredemus 
(incl) — Wellenstein  (excl)." 

^^^See  above,  1:271. 

^^"On  February  11,  pursuant  to  orders  issued  in  compliance  with  telegraphic 
instructions  from  the  Adjutant  General  the  Division  Adjutant  left  for  Paris  for  tem- 
porary duty  with  the  presidential  party  of  the  American  Peace  Commission,  but  return- 
ed to  the  division  on  February  18. 

^^^".  •  .  .  Issued  Training  Cir.  ^  19.  'To  stimulate  interest  in  the  appearance 
of  the  men,  the  condition  of  their  equipment,  and  knowledge  of  the  School  of  the 
Soldier,  and  in  order  to  get  an  accurate  comparison  between  the  different  units,  every 
man  in  the  Div.  will  be  inspected  and  marked.  Regtl.  Comdrs.will  report  to  Brig. 
Comdrs.  the  Co.  or  Battery  receiving  the  highest  rating.  Brig.  Comdrs.  will  report 
[to  the]  Div.  Commander  and  the  method  of  rating  and  marking  units  [was]  outlined. 
.  .  .  .'"     War  Diary,  33rd  Division,  February  12,  1919. 

^^^Memorandum  No.  22,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  February  20,  1919. 

^^^General  Order  No.  24,  Headquarters,  33rd  Division,  February  23,  191 9. 

^^^General  Order  No.  27,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  February  25,  191 9,  3:439. 
The  indorsements  of  the  Headquarters  of  the  Second  Army  and  Vlth  Corps  forwarding 
this  letter  were  also  inserted,  and  the  order  closed  with  this  paragraph: 

"  II.  This  order  will  be  read  to  the  troops  at  the  first  assembly  formation  after  its 
receipt  and  organization  commanders  will  emphasize  the  fact  that  any  failure  to  main- 
tain the  standard  which  has  evoked  such  a  recognition  as  that  contained  in  the  letter 
quoted  above  would  be  unworthy  of  the  33rd  Division." 

^^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^^The  efficiency  of  the  management  was  evidenced  by  the  fact  that,  as  the  tail 
of  the  class  which  had  been  judged  disappeared  through  the  outgoing  gate,  the  head 
of  the  next  class  entered  by  the  incoming  gate;  that  at  no  stage  was  the  program  five 
minutes  behind  the  time  scheduled;  and  that  the  horse  show  finished  slightly  ahead 
of  the  hour  specified. 

^^^The  awards,  published  in  General  Order  No.  31,  Headquarters  33rd  Division, 
on  March  4,  19 19,  were  as  follows: 

Class  First  Second  Third 

12     Singles,     Mules,     shown     to 
Machine  Gun,  Ammunition 

or  37  mm.  cart Hdq.  Troop  122  F.  A.  122  F.  A. 

3     Singles,  Horses,  shown  to  Offi- 
cer, Mess  or  other  cart 123  M.  G.  131  Inf.  132  Amb.  Co. 

II     Mounts,  Mules,  Enlisted  Men.  .124  F.  A.  122  F.  A.  122  F.  A. 

14  Pairs  of  Mules,  shown  to  water 

cart 130  Inf.  130  Inf.  124  F.  A. 

6     Pairs  of  Horses,  shown  to  Brit- 
ish limber  of  ration  cart Hdq.  Troop  33rd  M.  P.  130  Inf. 

I     Mounts,  Horses,  Enlisted  Men.  129  Inf.  33rd  M.  P.         33rd  M.  P. 

15  Two  pairs  of  Mules,  shown  to 

British  limber.  Escort,  G.  S. 

or  Ambulance 130  Inf.  130  Inf.  122  F.  A. 


NOTES  443 

7  Pairs  of  Horses,  shown  to  G. 

S.  or  fourgon 65  Inf.  Brig.         Hdq.  Troop       Hdq.  Troop 

8  Two  pairs  of  Horses,  shown  to 

Escort  or  G.  S.  wagon 130  Inf.  Hdq.  Troop        Hdq.  Troop 

17     Fives,  Horses  or  Mules,  shown 

to  Chariot  du  Pare 122  F.  A.  132  Inf.  124  F.  A. 

2     Mounts,  Horses  of  Officers Hdq.  Troop  33rd  M.  P.  66th  Inf.  Brig. 

9  Sixes,  Horses  or  Mules,  shown 

to  fourgon 122  F.  A.  122  F.  A.  130  Inf. 

10     Six  Horses,  shown  to  75  mm. 

gun  carriage,  caisson  or  reel 

cart 108  Eng.  122  F.  A.  122  F.  A. 

13     Wheeler,   Mules,   free   for   all, 

shown  to  bridle 124  M.  G.  Bn.     124  F.  A.  122  F.  A. 

4  Light    Draft    Horses     (under 

1300  lbs.)  free  for  all,  shown 

to  bridle 130  Inf.  124  F.  A.  124  M.  G.  Bn. 

5  Heavy     Draft.    Horses     (over 

1300  lbs.)  Free  for  all,  shown 

to  bridle ^ Hdq.  Troop  129  Inf.  Hdq.  Troop 

19         Booby No  decisions. 

Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr.,  Trophy.     Winner:    Headquarters  Company,    122nd 
Field  Artillery  (Class  9,  six  horses  or  mules  shown  to  fourgon). 

^^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^^On  March  5,  Colonel  McNab  of  General  Headquarters  delivered  to  the  division 
brigade,  regimental,  and  separate  battalion  commanders,  assembled  at  the  Division 
Headquarters  at  Diekirch,  a  lengthy  dissertation  on  the  subject  of  his  system  of  target 
practice.  A  few  days  later  Colonel  Gowan  of  General  Headquarters  inspected  the 
various  units  in  connection  with  their  training.  Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant; 
Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division. 

^^^Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  March  28, 1919,  2:482. 

^^^General  Order  No.  30,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  4,  1919. 

^'^"March  6th,  1919. 
"Issued  Memorandum  No.  21 .     '  Enlisted  men  detailed  to  the  Division  Infantry  School 
at  Redingen  will  leave  their  organizations  so  as  to  reach  Redingen  not  later  than  3:00 
P.M.  every  Saturday.     List  of  men  detailed  will  be  sent  to  G-3  office  not  later   than 
9:00  P.M.  Friday.'"    Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  2:480. 

^^^"March  13th,  1919. 
"Issued  Training  Circular  No.  30,  establishing  Sanitary  School  at  Redingen  in  accord- 
ance with  G-5  Memorandum  No.  33,  Second  Army.     The  school  will  open  March  17th 
and  will  continue  thereafter  in  weekly  sessions.    Captain  Arthur  B.  Hansen,  M.  C,  is 
detailed  as  commandant."    7^/^.,  2:481. 

^**"  March  23rd,  19 1 9. 

"Issued  Training  Circular  No.  31,  establishing  Riding  and  Driving  School  at 
Dommeldlngen,  Luxembourg,  and  detailing  Captain  Styles,  as  commandant.  Also 
giving  list  of  officers  and  N.  C.  O's,  detailed  as  Instructors."     li'id.,  2:482. 


444  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

^^'Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  Marcli  ii,  15,  18,  and  25,  1919, 
2:481-482. 

'^^^Ibid.,  March  7,  9,  16,  and  24,  1919,  2:480-482. 

^^^Furlough  is  the  term  used  in  military  parlance  in  the  United  States. 

^^^Detailed  information  and  instructions  respecting  leaves  were  contained  in  Mem- 
orandum No.  29,  March  3, 1919;  General  Order  No.  30,  March  4;  Memorandum  No.  30, 
March  5;  Memorandum  No.  34,  March  9;  General  Order  37,  March  14;  and  General 
Order  No.  40,  March  18,  1919. 

^^^Paragraph  I,  General  Order  No.  38,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  16, 
1919. 

^^^  "  Summary 

Organization First      Second     Third        Total 

33rd  Division _9 8 7 24 

7th  Division 7 6 9^ 11 

5th  Division 6  7  4  17 

VI  Corps  Troops o  i  2  3 

General  Orders  No.  7,  Vlth  Army  Corps,  dated  23rd  March,  1919,  quoted  in  Bulletin 
No.  4,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  26,  1919. 

^^^Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  March  23,  1919,  2:482. 

^*^A11  details  respecting  the  classes,  method  of  judging,  etc.,  were  announced  in 
Memorandum  No.  40,  issued  by  the  Headquarters  33rd  Division  on  March  24,  1919, 
3:447- 

^^^Telegram,  signed  Collins,  from  Vlth  Corps  to  C.  G.,  33rd  Division,  dated 
March  i,  1919,  (186  G-3)  and  quoting  Telegram  No.  3324  G-3,  dated  General  Head- 
quarters, January  27  and  addressed  to  General  Commanding  2nd  Army,  Toul. 

^"^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^■^^General  Order  No.  32,  Headquarters,  33rd  Division,  March  9,  1919,  3:445. 

^*®0n  March  10,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Huidekoper,  who  had  been  the  Division 
Adjutant  since  August  28,  1917,  left  Diekirch  for  Chaumont,  having  been  relieved  from 
duty  with  the  33rd  Division  and  ordered  to  General  Headquarters  for  temporary  duty 
before  proceeding  to  the  United  States  for  discharge.  He  was  succeeded  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  James  H.  Stansfield  as  acting  division  adjutant. 

^^'^Memorandum  No.  34,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  9,  1919. 

^^^In  the  category  of  headquarters  companies,  the  first  was  the  33rd  Military 
Police  Company  with  a  total  of  279.48.  Of  the  supply  companies,  the  highest  rating, 
viz:  272.38,  wasgiven  to  that  of  the  132nd  Infantry.  Of  the  machine  gun  and  medical 
companies,  that  of  the  132nd  Infantry  was  first  with  a  mark  of  269.42.  Among  the 
medical  detachments,  that  of  the  122nd  Field  Artillery  was  rated  top  with  a  score  of 
278.73.  Both  in  the  categories  of  ist  and  2nd  Battalions,  those  of  the  132nd  Infantry 
were  placed  first  with  ratings  of  278.48  and  274.14  respectively.  Of  the  3rd  Battalions 
that  of  tht  130th  Infantry  was  given  the  highest  mark,  272.44,  while  the  1 24th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  led  the  separate  battalions  with  a  score  of  275.13.  These  ratings  were 
given  in  detail  in  General  Orders  No.  34,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  12,1919, 
3:446. 


NOTES  445 

"'"March  12th,  1919. 
"Issued  Memorandum  No.  27,  quoting  telegram  from  VI  Corps:  'The  Corps  Comdr. 
directs  that  you  maintain  a  strict  guard  over  all  grenade  and  ammunition  dumps  so  as 
to  absolutely  preclude  the  possibility  of  explosives  of  any  kind  falling  into  the  hands 
of  unauthorized  persons.'  Unit  commanders  will  report  to  G-3,  these  Hdqrs.  when  the 
necessary  precautions  are  completed."  Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division, 
2:481. 

^^"General  Order  No.  35  (Paragraph  II),  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  13, 
1919.     Also  Memorandum  No.  41,  March  26,  1919. 

^°^See  above,  1:274. 

^^^General  Order  No.  39,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  17,  191 9.  On 
March  12,  1919,  Medals  of  Honor  had  been  awarded  to  6;}  officers  and  men  in  the 
American  Expeditionary  Forces — 17  of  these  being  to  those  who  had  died — and  of 
these  63,  eight  were  granted  to  officers  and  men  of  the  33rd  Division.  Diary  of  the 
writer  who  ascertained  these  facts  from  the  Decorations  Section  at  General  Head- 
quarters on  March  12,  1919. 

^^^Paragraph  II,  General  Order  No.  42,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  March  29, 
1919. 

^^*"  Prepared  Program  of  Training  for  March  31  to  April  26  (incl)  for  division." 
Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  March  27,  1919,  2:482. 

^^^"  Issued  T.  C.  [i.e.  Training  Circular]  No.  33,  regarding  Musketry  competition 
by  platoons,  particular  attention  being  paid  to  developing  competitors  for  the  A.  E.  F. 
Rifle  and  Pistol  competitions  to  be  held  early  in  May.  Divisional  Competition  to  be 
held  April  16,  191 9.  Brig.  Comdrs.  will  conduct  Brig,  competitions  in  accordance 
with  Pars.  4  and  5  (c),  Bulletin  No.  7,  G.  H.  Q."     Hid.,  April  i,  1919. 

^^^"  April  15,  1 91 9. 
".  .  .  .  Issued  Memo  No.  41.     'The  Div.  Musketry  Competition  for  Inf.  Platoons 
representing  the  65th  and  66th  Inf.  Brigs,  will  be  held  on  the  afternoon  of  Thursday 
Apr.  17.      Competing  Platoons  will  report  to  Lt.  Col.  Bittel  at  the  Rifle  Range  of  the 
130th  Inf.  near  Erpeldingen  at  13  hours,  Thurs.  17th  Apr.' 

"Issued  T.  C.  No.  36.  'In  compliance  with  Bulletin  No.  29,  c.s.,  G.  H.  Q.,  each 
Inf.  Regtl.  Comdr.  will  select  a  competitor  for  the  Auto  Rifle  Match  to  be  held  at 
Le  Mans.  Name  of  competitor  will  be  submitted  to  G-3  on  or  before  17  Apr.  M.  G. 
match  will  be  held  by  each  Inf.  Brig.  Comdr.  and  C.  O.  122nd  M.G.  Bn.  on  or  before 
23  Apr.  to  select  a  platoon  to  enter  a  Div.  M.  G.  match  at  date  and  place  to  be  an- 
nounced later.'"     Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  2:485. 

^^''liid.,  April  i,  2,  3,  5,  1919. 

^^^Memorandum  No.  45,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  April  7,  1919,  3:451. 

^^^Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  April  8,  1919,  2:484. 

^^^Ibid.,  April  i  and  3,  1919,  2:483. 

^^^Ibid.,  April  5,  6,  7,  8,  and  10,  1919,  2:483-484. 

^^^"  April  14,  1919. 
"Issued  G-3  Orders  No.  10.     'In  compliance  with  Operations  Orders  No.  96,  Hq.  3rd 
Army,  the  following  S.  O.  S.  units  are  relieved  from  being  attached  to  the  33rd  Div. 
and  are  attached  to  3rd  Army:    Salvage  Squad  No.  303,  Bakery  Co.  330 — Laundry 
Co.  503 — Cloth  and  Bath  Unit   No.   330 — Mobile  Vet  Section    no — Service   Park 


446  THE  33RD  DIVISION 

Units  No.  305  and  304.'"     Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  2:485. 

^^^Ibid.,  April  16  and  17,  1919, 

^®*Arrangements  had  been  made  in  February  to  send  the  42nd,  32nd,  and  33rd 
Divisions  down  the  Rhine  and  to  embark  them  either  at  Rotterdam  or  Antwerp. 
The  large  number  of  floating  mines  adrift  in  the  North  Sea  and  the  heavy  weather 
which  made  eflFective  mine-sweeping  impossible,  caused  Admiral  Sims  to  declare  that 
he  could  not  guarantee  the  safety  of  army  transports  proceeding  from  those  two  ports. 
These  three  Divisions  were  accordingly  embarked  at  Brest.     Author's  notes. 

^^^Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  April  15,  1919,  2:485. 

^^^"  Received  Operations  Orders  No.  82,  Hq.  3rd  Army,  dated  8  Apr.  1919,  trans- 
ferring 33rd  Div.  to  S.  O.  S.  effective  12  Apr.  1919."    Ibid.y  April  10,  1919,  2:484. 

^^^" April  II,  1919. 
"Issued  G-3  Memo  No.  36.     '33rd  Div.  is  relieved  from  duty  with  VI  Corps  and  3rd 
Army  effective  12  Apr.  1919,  and  is  placed   at  the  disposal  of  the  C.  G.,  S  O.  S.,  for 
return  to  U.  S.      Training  will   proceed   as  usual   but   preparation  for    embarkation 
will  take  precedence.' "     Ibid. 

^''^On  April  14  a  report  was  rendered  to  the  Third  Army  relative  to  guard  detach- 
ments; four  days  later  a  telegram  was  sent  to  the  Army  Commander  specifying  the 
location  and  strength  of  the  guard  detachments  of  the  33rd  Division;  on  April  11 
Operations  Memorandum  No.  21  was  received  from  the  Headquarters  of  5th  Division 
announcing  that  the  "3rd  Bn.,  6th  Inf.  less  i  Co.,  will  relieve  guard  detachments  of  the 
33rd  Div.  not  later  than  22nd  Apr.;"  and  the  next  day  G-3  Order  No.  13  were  issued, 
stating  that  "All  points  guarded  by  33rd  Div.  detachments  will  be  taken  over  at  once 
by  detachments  of  the  5th  Div."     Ibid.,  April  14,  18,  22,  and  23,  1919,  2:485-486. 

^^^Four  officers  and  6  men  were  decorated  with  the  Croix  de  Guerre  with  the  palm 
leaf  (army  citation);  2  officers  and  8  men  were  awarded  that  with  the  gold  star  (army 
corps  citation);  4  men  were  given  the  decoration  with  a  silver  star  (division  citation); 
one  man  received  the  Croix  de  Guerre  with  a  bronze  star  (brigade  citation);  and  3 
officers  and  6  men  that  with  a  bronze  star  awarded  on  regimental  citation.  These 
facts,  together  with  their  grades,  names,  and  organizations  were  published  in  General 
Order  No.  46,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  April  11,  1919.  See  3:514. 

^^"General  Order  No.  44,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  April  10,  1919,  3:513. 

^^^General  Order  No.  48,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  April  16,  1919,3:515. 

I72'pj^-,g  pamphlet  was  written  by  the  author  of  this  history  during  the  first  week 
in  March,  just  prior  to  his  detachment  from  the  division. 

^^^  "Headquarters  33RD  Division, 

American  Expeditionary  Forces, 

DiEKiRCH,  Luxembourg, 
March  5,  1919. 
To  the  Officers  and  Men  of  the  33RD  Division: 

This  small  pamphlet  summarizes  the  principal  events  in  the  operations  of  this 
Division  from  its  arrival  in  France  until  the  Armistice  with  Germany,  November  11, 
191 8.  It  is  published  for  your  convenience  and  so  that  others  may  know  of  your 
achievements. 


NOTES  447 

What  you  have  accomplished  is  now  a  matter  of  history.  The  organizations,  the 
officers  and  men  throughout  this  command,  have  done  their  duty  magnificently. 
The  efficiency  you  have  attained,  the  gallantry  you  have  invariably  shown,  the 
devotion  to  duty,  your  steadfast  resolution  and  cheerfulness  under  the  most  trying 
circumstances,  and  the  superb  espri(  de  corps  throughout  this  Division  are  beyond  all 
praise.  I  am  proud  to  have  had  the  honor  and  privilege  of  commanding  such  men 
as  you. 

(Signed)  Geo.  Bell,  Jr. 

Major  General,  U.  S.  A." 

^^''Several  events  of  secondary  importance  may  be  mentioned  here:  On  April  4, 
Bulletin  No.  5  announced  the  restrictions  relative  to  the  use  of  automobiles  imposed 
by  telegraphic  instructions  from  General  Headquarters  and  prohibited  officers  from 
visiting  Coblenz  unless  under  specific  orders.  On  April  7,  Memorandum  46  forbade 
further  applications  for  leave  to  Italy  and  announced  that  recruiting  for  the  Regular 
Army  had  been  resumed.  The  next  day,  Memorandum  No.  47  stated  that  applica- 
tions for  leave  to  Paris  would  be  discontinued,  and  announced  the  holding  of  a  carnival 
at  Coblenz  from  April  23-27  by  the  Third  Army,  from  which  invitations  could  be  se- 
cured. On  April  10,  General  Order  No.  45  quoted  a  telegram  from  the  Third  Army 
declaring  that  "in  view  of  the  gravity  of  the  coal  situation  in  the  Saar  Region,  ^eatest 
economy  is  enjoined  on  all  concerned  in  useing  fuel,"  and  directed  that  all  clothing  and 
blankets  be  put  through  sterilizers  in  order  to  avoid  possible  detention  at  the  port  of 
embarkation.  On  April  12,  General  Order  No.  47,  announced  the  appointment  of 
Major  Robin  C.  Keene,  A.G.,  as  acting  division  adjutant,  and  April  17  Memorandum 
No.  49  directed  that  all  leaves  be  discontinued. 

^'^Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  April  7,  9,  and  10,  1919.     See  2:484. 

^^^General  Order  No.  49,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  April  16,  1919.  The  first 
place  was  rated  at  7  points,  the  second  at  5,  and  the  third  at  3  points.  The  33rd  Divi- 
sion scored  87  points,  the  5th  Division  81,  and  the  Vlth  Corps,  54.     See  3:453. 

^Miscellaneous  memoranda. 

•^^^Author's  notes. 

^  On  April  9,  G-3  Memorandum  No.  35  was  issued  respecting  the  Ceremony  of 
Presentation  of  the  D.  S.  C.  On  April  11,  three  memoranda  were  issued,  viz:  No.  37 
relative  to  Presentation  of  Decorations,  No.  38  regarding  the  Inspection  and  Review 
of  Troops  by  the  C.-in-C.  and  No.  39  regarding  the  condition  of  uniforms  for  the 
review  of  the  33rd  Division  by  the  Commander-in-Chief.  The  next  day,  the  informa- 
tion contained  in  G-3  Memoranda  Nos.  37,  38,  and  39  was  embodied  in  Memorandum 
No.  40  entitled  Instructions  for  the  Review  for  the  Commander-in-Chief,  Journal  of 
Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  April  9,  11,  and  12,  1919,  2:484,  485. 

^^/^/^.,  April  16,  1919,  2:485. 

^^^Brigadier  General  Edward  L.  King,  commanding  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade, 
had  been  presented  with  the  Distinguished  Service  Medal  at  Chaumont  on  March  23. 

^^^General  Order  No.  50,  Headquarters  33rd  Division,  April  22,  1919.     See  3:516. 

^^The  original  letter  contained  several  inaccuracies  respecting  the  operations  of 
the  33rd  Division.  On  May  8,  1919,  General  Bell  accordingly,  in  acknowledging  its 
receipt  to  the  Commander-in-Chief,  enclosed  a  copy  of  the  pamphlet  history  of  the 
33rd  Division,  A.E.F.,  specified  certain  of  the  inaccuracies,  announced  that  it  was 
desired  to  publish  this  letter  and  requested,  for  that  reason,  "  that  such  corrections  be 


448 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


made  as  may  be  justified  by  an  examination  of  the  facts  as  stated"  in  the  pamphlet 
history.  Upon  reaching  Hoboken,  General  Bell  received  a  long  cablegram  from 
General  Pershing,  dated  Headquarters,  American  Expeditionary  Forces,  May  i6, 
1919,  specifying  the  corrections  to  be  made  in  the  original  letter.  The  letter  here 
quoted  is  the  corrected  version. 

^^Journal  of  Operations  of  the  33rd  Division,  April  23,  1919.     See  2:486. 

^^^Ibid.,  April  25 — May  i,  1919. 

^^^General  Bell  received  the  decoration  of  a  Commander  of  the  Legion  of  Honor; 
Generals  Wolf  and  King  and  Colonel  Sanborn  that  of  an  Officer  of  the  Legion  of  Honor. 
The  citation  upon  which  this  decoration  was  conferred  upon  General  Bell  read  thus: 

"Major  General  Bell  commanded  the  33rd  Division  which  distinguished  itself 
in  the  Somme  Sector  of  the  British  front  and  then  took  a  brilliant  part  in  the  Argonne- 
Meuse  offensive. 

"Owing  to  the  energy  and  cleverness  of  its  chief,  that  unit  broke  the  stubborn 
resistance  of  the  enemy  by  capturing  the  very  strongly  defended  Bois  de  Forges." 

^^^On  board  the  Mount  Vernon  were  the  Honorable  Josephus  Daniels,  secretary 
of  the  navy,  Rear  Admirals  Griffin,  Taylor,  and  Earle,  and  Captain  Percy  Foote, 
naval  aide,  who  had  spent  about  a  month  in  Europe  in  consultation  with  the  officials 
of  the  British,  French,  and  Italian  navies. 

^^^Brigadier  General  Paul  A.  Wolf  did  not  accompany  the  66th  Infantry  Brigade, 
but  remained  in  France  and  captained  the  A.  E.  F.  team  which  won  the  Inter-Allied 
Rifle  and  Pistol  match  at  Le  Mans  on  June  23-25,  1919,  after  which  he  returned  to  the 
United  States. 

^^^he  first  unit  of  the  33rd  Division  to  leave  France  was  the  io8th  Trench  Mortar 
Battery,  which  sailed  from  Brest  on  February  2,  1919,  in  the  transport  lowan  and 
reached  Hoboken  on  March  12.  The  rest  of  the  division  sailed  during  May,  1919,  as 
follows: 


DATE  OF 

DEPARTURE  FROM 

BREST 


TRANSPORT 


DATE  OF 

ARRIVAL  AT 

HOBOKEN,  N.  J. 


May    9,  1919 

May  II 

May  12 

May  14 

May  15 

May  15 

May  16 

May  18 


Mount  Vernon 

Siboney 

Charleston 

Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria . . . 

Leviathan 

Harrisburg 

America 

Kronprinz  Friedrich  Wilhelm 


May  17,  1919 
May  20, 
May  22, 
May  23, 
May  22, 
May  23, 
May  24, 
May  27, 


This  movement  is  given  in  detail,  2:4. 

^*^he  translation  of  M.  Tardieu's  letter  contained  in  General  Orders  No.  54  is 
somewhat  difl^erent  from  the  translation  given  above. 

^^^Upon  disembarking,  all  troops  of  the  33rd  Division  proceeded  to  Camp  Mills, 


NOTES  449 

Long  Island,  with  the  exception  of  the  io8th  Trench  Mortar  Battery  and  the  129th 
Infantry,  which  were  sent  to  Camp  Merritt,  New  Jersey. 

^'^On  May  27,  the  troops  detrained  at  the  La  Salle  Street,  Union,  Grand  Central, 
and  Polk  Street  stations;  on  June  2,  at  the  Park  Row,  Dearborn  Street,  La  Salle 
Street,  Grand  Central,  and  Union  Stations;  and  on  June  5,  at  the  Park  Row,  La  Salle 
Street,  Dearborn  Street,  and  Grand  Central  stations. 

^^^In  the  parade  of  May  27,  the  troops  were  reviewed  jointly  by  Governor  Lowden 
and  by  Major  General  Leonard  Wood,  commanding  the  Central  Department. 

^^^The  program  for  the  review  of  May  27  was  followed,  wjth  slight  modifications, 
in  the  subsequent  reviews  on  June  2  and  5: 
7  to  9  A.M.  Detrainment  (13  trains)  at  the  following  stations: 

La  Salle 5  trains  Grand  Central 3  trains 

Union 3  trains  Polk  Street 2  trains 

Move  to  Grant  Park. 
9.30  A.M.  Reception  by  relatives. 

11  A.M.  Parade  started,  passing  the  reviewing  stand  at  11. 10  a.m. 

12  to  12.30  P.M.    Banquets  at  the  "Loop"  hotels. 
3  P.M.  Entrainment  for  Camp  Grant. 

Parade.  From  Grant  Park  at  11  a.m.  over  the  Eighth  Street  Viaduct, 

south  along  the  Illinois  Central  Railway  tracks  to  Twelfth  Street, 
north  in  Michigan  Avenue  to  Randolph  Street,  west  to  State  Street, 
south  to  Adams  Street,  west  to  Clark  Street,  north  to  Randolph 
Street,  west  to  La  Salle  Street,  south  to  Jackson  Boulevard,  east  to 
State  Street,  south  to  Harrison  Street,  and  east  to  Michigan  Avenue. 
At  Clark  and  Madison  Streets,  the  parade  began  to  break  up, 
the  tail  unit  proceeding  to  the  Hotel  Morrison.  At  Clark  and  Ran- 
dolph Streets  another  tail  unit  moved  to  the  Hotel  Sherman.  At 
La  Salle  and  Madison  Streets  the  next  tail  unit  marched  into  the  Hotel 
La  Salle.  At  Harrison  Street  and  Michigan  Avenue  the  rest  of  the 
troops  proceeded  to  the  Congress,  Auditorium,  Stratford,  and  Black- 
stone  Hotels. 

At  2  P.M.  a  lunch  in  honor  of  General  Bell,  the  officers  of  the 
Division  Staff  and  of  the  65th  Infantry  Brigade  Headquarters  was 
given  at  the  Congress  Hotel  by  Governor  Lowden. 


CONCLUSION 

^In  the  Peking  Relief  Expedition  in  1900,  American  troops  had  fought  by  the  side 
of  the  British  in  the  Allied  forces,  but  the  battles  which  attended  the  advance  from 
Tientsin  to  the  Chinese  capital  were  small  affairs  compared  with  those  in  the  late  war 
in  Europe. 

^Ir.  his  letter  of  congratulations  to  Major  General  Bell  on  July  5,  191 8,  Lieutenant 
General  Sir  John  Monash,  the  Commander  of  the  Australian  Corps,  declared  that 
Hamel  was  "an  historic  [event]  of  such  significance  that  it  will  live  forever  in  the  annals 
of  our  respective  Nations."     See  above,  1:43. 

^Fourth  British  Army May  26  to  August  23,  1918. 

First  American  Army August  26  to  September  5,  1918. 

September  14  to  October  20,  191 8. 

Second  French  Army September  5  to  September  14,  1918. 

Second  American  Army October  20  to  December  12,  191 8. 

December  17,  1918,  to  April  i,  1919. 

Third  American  Army December  12  to  December  17,  1918. 

April  I  to  April  12,  191 9. 

Ilnd  American  Corps May  27  to  August  23,  1918. 

(for  administration). 

XlXth  British  Corps May  27  to  June  21,  1918. 

Ilird  British  Corps June  21  to  August  23,  191 8. 

Australian  Corps June  26  to  August  20,  1918. 

Vth  American  Corps August  26  to  September  5,  191 8. 

17th  French  Army  Corps September  5  to  September  14,  1918. 

October  6  to  October  20,  191 8. 
November  5  to  November  14,  191 8. 

Ilird  American  Corps September  14  to  October  6,  1918. 

2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps October  20  to  November  5,  191 8. 

IVth  American  Corps November  14  to  November  17,  1918. 

IXth  American  Corps November  26  to  December  5,  1918. 

Vllth  American  Corps December  12  to  December  17,  1918. 

Vlth  American  Corps December  18,  1918,  to  April  12,  1919. 

^The  total  number  of  American  divisions  sent  to  France  was  forty-two. 

^TheWar  with  Germany:  A  Statistical  Summary,  written  by  order  of  the  Secretary 
of  War  by  Colonel  Leonard  P.  Ayers,  General  Staff,  Chief  of  the  Statistics  Branch  of 
the  General  Staff,  second  edition  pp.  -^^^  " 5>  "6,  117. 

^Ordinarily  speaking,  "butcher  bills"  are  a  criterion  of  the  lack  of  skill  in  the 
handling  of  troops  in  action. 

From  the  night  of  August  23-24  until  the  morning  of  August  26,  1918. 

^The  last  unit  of  the  33rd  Division  was  relieved  in  the  Verdun  sector  on  the  night 
of  October  21-22;  the  first  units  occupied  positions  in  the  Troyon-sur-Meuse  sector 
on  the  night  of  October  23-24,  191 8. 

^General  Rawlinson  to  33rd  Illinois  Division,  August  21,  1918.      See  above,  1:52. 

450 


NOTES  451 

^"Lieutenant  General  R.  L.  Bullard,  to  Major  General  George  Bell,  Jr.,  February 
i8,  1919,  2:453. 

'^The  89th,  1st,  91st,  and  32nd  Divisions  in  succession,  and  for  a  second  time  with 
the  89th  Division. 

^^The  79th  Division. 
i3Cf.    1:68  ff. 

^^General  Henri  Claudel,  commanding  the  17th  French  Army  Corps,  to  which  the 
33rd  Division  was  attached  from  October  6  until  October  20,  191 8. 
^^Diary  of  the  Division  Adjutant. 

^^American  decorations 213 

British  decorations 57 

French  decorations 92 

Belgian  decorations 16 

Italian  decorations 2 

Total 380    See  3:498. 

^^The  seven  divisions  in  the  A.  E.  F.  to  which  the  greatest  number  of  Medals  of 
Honor  were  awarded  were  as  follows: 

30th  Division 12 

33rd  Division 9 

89th  Division 9 

2nd  Division 7 

27th  Division 7 

77th  Division 6 

91st  Division 4 

This  information,  together  with  that  contained  in  the  text  above,  was  furnished  to  the 
author  by  the  Decorations  Section  of  the  General  Staff  at  Washington, 
^^See  above,  1:290. 

^^General  Sir  Henry  Rawlinson,  commanding  the  Fourth  British  Army,  to  33rd 
Illinois  Division,  August  21,  1918.     See  above,  1:52. 
^"See  above,  1 1292. 


INDEX 


Abbeville,  35,  318 

Abraham,  Major  Clyde  R.,  ordered  to 
Camp  Jackson  (Columbia,  S.  C.)>  313 

Abris  de  Delolime,  381 

Adjutant  General  of  the  Army,  The, 
disapproves  recommendation  to  ex- 
empt officers  from  training  school,  311; 
instructions:  310,  314;  concerning  alien 
enemies,  315;  transfer  of  physically 
defective  men,  312;  telegram  to,  from: 
General  Bell,  concerning  alien  enemies, 
I4;  concerning  shortage  ot  recruits, 
17-18,  20;  telegram  from,  to:  General 
Bell,  concerning  training  in  use  of 
small  arms,  313;  transfer  of  Colonel 
Mathew  C.  Smith,  314 

Adriatic,  transport,  317 

Ain,  G.  (Chief  of  Staff,  3rd  Bureau, 
French),  transfers  commands  ot  sectors 
St.Mihiel  and  Regret,  393 

Air  service,  allied:  4I,  99,  155,  171,  192, 
237.  338;  enemy:  35,  41,  96,  99,  lao, 
122,  124,  126,  132,  134,  145,  155,  168, 
169,  188,  202,  236,  240,  338,  359,  360 

Aire  Valley,  advance  in,  243 

Aix-les-Bains,  leaves  of  absence  to,  182, 
185 

Alambey,  General  (Chief  of  Staff,  2nd 
Colonial  Army  Corps,  French),  assign- 
ment of  artillery  brigades,  175;  urges 
necessity  for  patrols,  186 

Albert  I,  King  of  Belgium,  confers  deco- 
rations, 289 

Alexandre,  Major  General  (Artillery 
Commander,  Vth  Corps,  U.  S.),  244 

Alien  enemies,  7,  10,  13-14,  17,  25-26,  28, 
29-30;  instructions  concerning,  315; 
internment,  310;  naturalization,  310; 
proportion  in  contingents,  309 

Allen,  Major  Charles  C.  (Assistant  Chief 
of  Staff,  33rd  Division),  305 

Allen,  Major  Francis  M.  (131st  Infantry), 
129,  365,  401,  402,  407;  at  Forges,  73; 
commands  line  garrison,  137;  second 
St.  Hilaire  raid,  200 

Allen,  Colonel  Henry  A.  (io8th  Engi- 
neers), 63, 3 17;  at  Diekirch  horse  show, 
280;  commands  ist  Illinois  Engineers, 
305;  entrains  for  Camp  Merritt,  29; 
review,  Chicago,  294 

(J) 


Allex,  Corporal  Jake  (131st  Infantry), 
decorations,  284,  288,  439 

Allied  High  Command,  237 

Allies,  cordial  relations  with  British  and 
French  forces,  301;  major  plans,  44, 
59-61,  237,  252.     See  also  Armistice 

Alsace,  occupation  of,  263 

Alsace-Lorraine,  citizens  of,  in  German 
army,  64 

Altlinster,  434 

Altzingen,  431,432 

Ambly,  176,  385,  402 

Ambulance  Companies,  307 

America,  transport,  448 

American  Expeditionary  Forces,  univer- 
sities and  schools,  see  Schools 

Amerson,  Lieutenant  Colonel  George  C. 
(io8th  Sanitary  Train),  review,  Chi- 
cago, 294 

Amiens,  military  significance,  41;  opera- 
tions near,  35,  36,  38 

Anatolie  Trench,  taken,  107 

Ancemont,  165,  177,  380,  384 

Ancre  River,  323 

Anderny,  430 

Anderson,  Sergeant  Johannes  S.  (132nd 
Infantry),  decorated,  274 

Anderson,  Private  William  A.  (131st 
Infantry),  decorated,  439 

Andevanne,  250;  Kriemhild  Stellung,  67 

Andlauer,  General  (i8th  French  Divis- 
ion), 57,  loi,  109, 344, 345;  orders  from, 
October  9,  1918,  351,  353;  orders  one 
battalion  131st  Infantry  across  Meuse, 
104 

Angers,  439 

Applin,  Lieutenant  Colonel  R.  V.  K., 
visits  33rd  Division,  15-16,  17,  20 

Apremont,  68;  forest,  238 

Argonne,  see  Meuse-Argonne 

Arlon,  267,  438 

Armistice,  with  Austria:  impending,  185; 
signed,  188;  with  Germany:  effective, 
225,  254,  418,  419;  rumored,  198;  under 
consideration,  199 

Army  Candidates'  School,  see  Schools 

Army  Engineers'  School,  see  Schools 

Army  General  Staff  College,  see  Schools 

Army  Line  School,  see  Schools 

Army  of  Occupation,  see  Third  Army 
453 


454 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Army    Signal    Candidates'    School,    see 

Schools 
Arndt,  Pomeranian  prisoner,  220 
Artillery  groupings,  Butner,  Davis,  Fore- 
man, Hackett,  Kennedy,  Rivers,  238, 

239 
Artillery  School,  see  Schools 
Assistant  Division  Adjutant,  Major  H.  C. 

Castor  replaced   by  Major  Henry  S. 

Hooker,  315 
Augereau,  Camp,  328 
Augusta,  Centre  of  Resistance,  176,  385, 

399 
Aultman,  Brigadier  General  Dwight  B. 

(Chief  of  Artillery,  Second  Army,  U. 

S.),  inspects  58th  F.  A.  Brigade,  438; 

letter    of   commendation    to    General 

Millar,  252 
Aumetz,  430 
Austin,   Major   (104th    Field   Artillery), 

363 
Australian  Corps,  319;  Americans  serve 

with,  37-43,  296,  320-322,  450 
Australian  Victories  in  France  in  1918, 

7^^,319,322 
Austria,  armistice  with,  185,  188 
Austrians,  morale,  365-366 
Austro-Hungarians,  310 
Autel  Bas  (Belgium),  440,  441 
Auto  Rifle  Match,  445 
Autrecourt,  242 
Avillers,  217,  398,  41 1,  428 
Avocourt,  244,  246 
Ayers,    Colonel    Leonard    P.     (General 

Staff,    statistics    branch),    author    of 

The  War  With  Germany,  A  Statistical 

Summary,  450 

Baackes,  Captain  Frank  (Aide-de-Camp 

to  General  Bell),  visits  Washington,  31 
Bacon,    Major    Robert,    visits    Division 

Commander,  35 
Bader,   Captain    Roger,    French    liaison 

officer,  226 
Bailey,  Major  General  Charles  J.  (8ist 

Division),  194 
Baisieux-Warloy  line,  37 
Baker,  the  Honorable  Newton  D.,  review 

of  33rd  Division,  288 
Bakery  Company,  330,  attached  to  Third 

Army,  Luxembourg,  445 
Bale,  Corporal  Homer  (124th   Machine 

Gun  Battalion),  416 
Balis,  Trench  de,  104,  107,  355 
Bamont,  ferme,  82;  ruisseau,  82 
Bantheville,  250;  Bois  de,  250 
Barber,  Major   Frank   \V.,  embarks  for 

France  with  advance  party,  32 


Bark,  Private  Charles  C.  (131st  Infantry), 
decorated,  439 

Bar-le-Duc,  railway  freed,  60 

Barlow,  Captain  E.  M.  (British  Military- 
Mission),  309 

Barricourt,  252;  headquarters  58th   F.A. 
Brigade,  253 

Barry,  Major  General  Thomas  H.  (86th 
Division),  see  Eighty-sixth  Division 

Base  Hospital,  314;  equipment,  5,  308 

Base  Section  No.  4  (Havre),  34 

Base  Section  No.  5  (Brest),  318 

Baulny,  Volker  Stellung,  66 

Bayonville  et  Chennery,  Kriemhild  Stel- 
lung, 67 

Beaufort,  434 

Beaumont,     loi,    108,    115,    236,    342; 
headquarters,  58th  F.  A.  Brigade,  240 

Beaune,  Cote  d'Or,  American  Expedition- 
ary Forces  University,  276,  282,  44 1 

Beauzee,  242 

Behen,  35 

Belgian  Army,  new  zone,  282 

Belgian-Luxembourg  boundary,  440,  441 

Belgium,  enemy  evacuation,  61;  king  of, 
289 

Belhame  road,  331 

Bell,  Major  General  George,  Jr.  (33rd 
Division),  314,  320;  addresses  officers 
of  division,  20;  arrives  at  Houston,  4; 
asks  exemption  of  officers  from  Brigade 
and  Field  Officers'  School  at  San 
Antonio,  311;  assigned  to  command  of 
33rd  Division,  i;  assumes  command  of 
VIthCorps,U.S.,  269,270,441  ;comment 
on  transport,  441;  conference  at  Stenay 
with  General  Todd,  260, 27 1 ;  decorated, 
288,  291,  448;  division  reviewed,  Chi- 
cago, 293,  294;  institutes  executive 
officers  for  regimental  and  company 
inspections,  426;  investigates  condi- 
tions in  France,  2;  issues  Field  Order 
No.  36  relating  to  armistice,  227; 
issues  pamphlet  history  of  division, 
446-447;  lack  of  division  ordnance 
reported,  316;  leaves  Camp  Logan,  31; 
letter  to,  from:  General  Wagstaff,  440; 
The  Adjutant  General  concerning  as- 
signment as  replacement  division,  312; 
protests  against  designation  as  re- 
placement division,  19;  reception  to, 
Chicago,  293;  reprimand  from  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, 260-261;  requests 
more  recruits,  17,  20,  22-23,30, 307;  re- 
turns from  inspection  trip  abroad,  9, 
II;  reviews  division.  Camp  Logan,  26; 
sails:  for  France,  22)i  Z^l'->  ^o^"  United 
States,    292;   telegram   from,   to:  The 


INDEX 


455 


Adjutant  General  of  the  Army,  14, 
17-18,  20,  314;  Commanding  General, 
86th  Division,  30;  telegram  to,  from: 
General  Heintzelman,  259,  268;  Lieu- 
tenant General  Sir  H.  K.  Butler,  com- 
mending 33rd  Division,  49; 

tribute  to  33rd  Division,  302-303, 
447;  trophy,  443;  visited  by:  General 
Andlauer,  loi;  General  Blondlat,  187; 
General  Wagstatf,  27;  visits:  General 
Blondlat,  179;  General  Wolf,  265; 
Saizerais,  270;  Treves,  266; 

with  aides,  leaves  Camp  Upton,  32 

Belle  Oxiere,  Bois  de  la,  24 1 

Belleray,  163 

Belrain,  242 

Benoite  Vaux,  260,  426 

Berchem,  264,  430,  431 

Berny  Trench,  75;  taken  by  131st  Infan- 
try, 70 

Berry,  Colonel  Harry  S.  (115th  Field 
Artillery),  180;  commands  attack  on 
St.  Hilaire,  406;  units  under,  Troyon 
sector,  387,  400 

Berschbach,  billets,  272,  438 

Bertaucourt  Ferme,  205,  212,  214,  215, 
389,  408,  417 

Bertrame  Ferme,  P.  C.  fSth  F.  A.  Bri- 
gade, 245 

Bertrangen,  430,  431 

Bertrangles,  corps  conference  at,  320 

Besace  Trench,  taken  by  131st  Infantry, 
70 

Besangon,  236 

Bethelainville,  division  headquarters,  82; 
headquarters  ot  65th  Brigade,  63,  329 

Bethelainville,  Bois  de,  328 

Bethincourt,  62,  65,  85,  91,  159,  349 

Bethincourt-Forges  road,  69,  70,  77,  150, 

Bethincourt  —  Gercourt-et-Drillancourt 
road,  148 

Bettainvillers,  429 

Bettembourg,  263 

Bettendorf,  434;  130th  Infantry  exhibi- 
tion at,  271 

Bettingen,  440,  441 

Beuvillers,  430 

Biederman,  Lieutenant  Frank  A.  (132nd 
Infantry),  317 

Biolle,  Cote  de,  385 

Bissen,  billets,  272,  437,  438;  55th  F.  A. 
Brigade  ordered  to  evacuate,  437 

Bittel,  Major  Edward  (130th  Infantry), 

Bjornstad,  Brigadier  General  A.  W.,  44 1 ; 
at  Menil-la-Tour,  276 


Blanding,  Brigadier  General  A.  S.  (185th 

Brigade),  308 
Blech,   Major   Gustavus    M.    (Assistant 

Surgeon,  33rd  Division),  305 
Blercourt,  division  headquarters,  56 
Blercourt  area,  33rd  Division  in,  55,  328 
Bliss,  General  Tasker  H.,  decorated,  51 
Blondlat,   General   (2nd   Colonial  Army 
Corps,  French),  388;  instructions,  165, 
177,   189;  sent  to  command  at  Lille, 
394;  visits  Major  General  Bell,   187; 
warning  against  gas  attacks,  184 
Bohain,  197 
Bois: 

Bourrus,  58,  loi,  127,  139,  164,  328, 
379,   380,   381,   384;    relief  station   of 
130th  Infantry  and  Company  A,  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  162;  of  Com- 
pany D,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
173; 
Boussois,  gained,  115; 
Bultruy,  reconnaissances,  156; 
Carre,  390; 

Claude,  162;  131st  Infantry  in,  163; 
relief    station.     Company     B,     124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  159; 
D'Apremont,  238; 
De  Bantheville,  250; 
De  Bethelainville,  328; 
De  Brabant,  86,  107; 
De  Brieulles,  93,  339; 
De  Caures,  loi,  115.  151; 
De  Champneuville,  115,  126; 
De   Chatillon,  enemy   position,  93, 
96; 

De  Chaume,  108,  109,  no,  112,  115, 
118,  122,  123,  124,  126,  127,  129,  130, 

i3i>  132,  133.  134.  135.  136,  137.  140. 
141,  142,  143,  148,  149,  154,  I57» 
158,   169,    298,    349,    350,    351,    352, 

353.  354.  362,  365.  366,  367.  373.  375. 
376,378;  attack  on,  112-115,351,352; 
harassed  by  Allies,  no;  by  enemy,  153, 
359;  prisoners  and  materiel,  145,  368; 
second  attack  on,  1 19-120,  356,  357, 
358.  360; 

De  Cheppy,  245; 

De  Cheviliemont,  328; 

De  Combres,  174,  381,  385,  420; 

De  Consenvoye,  in,  347,  355,  360; 
reached,  107; 

De  Cuisy,  65; 

De  Dannevoux,  n7,  150,  153,  356, 
368,  372;  harassed  by  enemy,  340,  34I, 
349,  360,  364;  reconnaissances  near,  86; 

De  Dieulet,  captured,  253; 

D'en  Dela,  64,  86,  153;  occupied  by: 


456 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


123rd    Machine    Gun    Battalion,    88; 
130th  Infantry,  87,  336; 

units  withdrawn,  138;  Volker  Stel- 
lung  in,  66; 

D'Etrayes,  102;  reconnaissance  near, 
156; 

De  Fays,  97,  100,  125,  342;  attack 
on,  92; 

De  Foret,  61,  93,  141,  339,  343; 
taken,  130; 

De  Forges,  67,  76,  79,  80,  84,  98,  99, 
100,  106,  109,  128,  132,  139,  147,  148, 
150,  153.  298,  335,  339,  341,  349,  350. 
363;  attack  on,  62,  63,  68,  77-78,  79, 
^o>  329.  33^y  381-382;  Hagen  Stellung 
Nord  in,  65;  occupied  by  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  116-117,  125, 
130,  133,  161,  340,  354;  redistribution 
of  troops  in,  94;  shelled  by  enemy,  85, 
86,  89,  91,  96,  III,  126,  153,  341; 
situation,  64,  65,  68;  withdrawal  from, 
132; 

De  Frehaut,  captured  by  Vlth 
Corps,  U.  S.,  405; 

De  Hamel,  attack  on,  38,  39,  40; 

D'Harville,  212,  213,  266,  392,  398, 
411,  415;  attack  on,  192,  200,  206,  207, 
213-217,  218,  220,  221,  223,  225,  401, 
402,  407,  409,  410,  417,  418;  harassed 
by  enemy,  187;  prisoners  and  materiel, 
216; 

D'Haumont,  106,  108,  345;  gained, 
III,  115,  151; 

De  Hazois,  enemy  strong  point,  249; 
shelled,  250; 

De  Hesse,  244; 

De  la  Belle  Oxiere,  rest  station  for 
1st  Division,  241; 

De  la  Cote  Lemont,  86,  87,  88,  92, 
94,  96, 99,  125,  130,  170,  336,  338,  339, 
343j  358,  368;  advance  trenches  in, 
153;  sector  of  65th  Brigade,  138,  I43; 
shelled  by  enemy,  340,  360; 

De  la  Grande  Montagne,  118,  128, 
I46,  367;  headquarters  131st  Infantry, 
396;  objective,  102,  118,  131;  objective 
gained,  370;  taken  by  29th  Division, 
155-156; 

De  la  Haute  Voye,  397;  reconnais- 
sance in,  393; 

De  la  Morine,  captured  by  64th 
Brigade,  248; 

De  la  Reine,  240;  attained,  17th 
Army  Corps,  French,  126;  58th  F.  A. 
Brigade  in,  236,  240;  gun  positions 
in,  237;  objective  17th  Army  Corps, 
French,  102,  118; 


De  la  Woivrotte,  captured  by  Vlth 
Corps,  U.  S.,  405; 

Delolime,  162;  129th  Infantry  stag- 
ing camp,  378; 

De  Malancourt,  enemy  position,  64; 

De  Malaumont,  3rd  Battalion,  132nd 
Infantry  attacks  in,  125; 

De  Manheulles,  212; 

De  Maulamont,  100; 

De  Meuse,  426; 

De  Moirey,  126,  131;  objective  of 
17th  Army  Corps,  French,  118,  134; 

De  Molleville,  115,  126; 

De  Money,  Kriemhild  Stellung  in, 
67; 

De  Montelle,  214; 

De  Montfaucon,  Hagen  Stellung 
Nord  in,  66; 

De  Moulotte,  shelled,  187; 

De  Nixeville,  328;  occupied  by: 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  376; 
131st  Infantry,  163;  2i2th  Field  Artil- 
lery Regiment,  French,  89-90; 

33rd  Division  Infantry  School  at, 

De  Ognons,  92;  Kriemhild  Stellung, 

67; 

D'Ormont,  108,  in,  118,  126,  I40, 
I41;  1 8th  French  Division  operations, 

13I'  134,  135,  146,  345; 

De  Parois,  58th  F.  A.  Brigade  at, 
242; 

De  Querrieu,  io8th  Engmeers  begm 
work  on  "Army  Line,"  36;  131st  and 
132nd  Infantries  at,  37; 

De  Ranzieres,  207,  390,  392,  427; 
occupied  by  Company  D,  130th  Infan- 
try, 396; 

De  Septsarges,  150,  153;  occupied 
by:  Company  D,  123rd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  89,337;  130th  Infantry,  336; 
Volker  Stellung  in,  66; 

De  Thillot,  195; 

De  Vaire,  38;  objective  of  4th 
Australian  Division,  39; 

De  Very,  Hagen  Stellung  Nord  in, 

65; 

De  Warville,  186,  192,  196,  202,  206, 
207,  217,  228,  408,  409,  417,  421; 
captured,  405;  objective,  401,  403; 
occupied  by:  131st  Infantry,  213,  217, 
228,  410;  124th  Machine  Gun  Battal- 
ion, 407,  411; 

patrols  in,  388,  389,  391,  393.  397; 

398,    400;    prisoners    and    materiel, 

196; 

Des  Caures,  in,  1 15,  151;  objective, 
of  1 8th  Division,  French,  "loi; 


INDEX 


457 


Des  Cinq  Freres,  378,  380,  384; 

Des  Clair  Chenes,  328; 

Des  Epdrges,  400,  420;  313th  Infan- 
try relieved  in,  174,  381,  3S3,  385; 

Des  Epines,  205,  213,  215,  389,  394, 
402,  408,  410,  415,  417,  421;  captured 
by  17th  Army  Corps,  French,  405; 
enemy  detachment  routed,  389;  enemy 
outposts,  184;  occupied  by:  131st 
Infantry,  217,  401,  410;  124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  4I1; 

patrolled  by  131st  and  132nd 
Infantry,  388,  393,  397;  strongly 
fortified  by  enemy,  393; 

Des  Haravillers,  409;  captured  by 
28th  Division,  212; 

Des  Haudronvilles,  enemy  posts, 
185;  taken  by  28th  Division,  212; 

Des  Hautes  Epines,  see  Bois  Epines; 

Des  Moriaux,  harassed  by  enemy, 
349,  356,  360; 

Des  Sartelles,  56,  326;  occupied  by: 
105th  Field  Artillery,  57;  308th  French 
Regiment,  Heavy  Artillery,  95; 

Du  Chana,  378;  relief  area  of  129th 
Infantry  and  123rd  Machine  Gun  Bat- 
talion, 162,  163; 

Du  Chene,  134,  140; 

Du  Chene  Sec,  captured  by  64th 
Brigade,  248; 

Jure,  71,  132,  150,  153,  164,  338,372; 
advance  in,  by  131st  Infantry,  73,  75; 
shelled  by  enemy,  153,  155,  159,  373; 
Volker  Stellung  in,  66; 

La  Dame,  objective  of  66th  Brigade, 
221; 

La  Fosse  a  Terre,  126; 

La  Vachere,  397,  415;  occupied  by 
enemy,  215,  217,  409;  patrols  in,  205; 

La  V'ille,  82,  138,  147,  162,  164,  173; 
advance  trenches  in,  153;  headquarters, 
105th  and  io6th  Field  Artillerv,  378, 

384; 

Le  Chanot,  316th  Infantry  relieved 
in,  17,6; 

L'Epasse,  shelled,  250; 

Les  Fosses,  115; 

L'Houppy,  reconnaissance,  156; 

Plat-Chene,  119,  122,  123,  126,  134, 
140,  141,  155,  158,  298,  374;  held  by 
enemy,  128,360;  line  in,  advanced,  170, 
357,  359;  objective,  127,  131;  occupied 
by  130th  Infantry,  I49;  relief  of:  129th 
Infantry,  155;  131st  Infantry,  367; 

relief    stage    for    123rd    Machine 

Gun  Battalion,  173; 

Remy,  406; 


Rond,  129th  Infantry  at,  338,  343, 

349; 

Sachet,  86,   150;  shelled  by  enemy, 
155,  159;  Volker  Stellung  in,  66; 
V'ieux,  419,  patrols  in,  205 

Bouconville,  236;  region  of  Hackett  artil- 
lery grouping,  239 

Boucq,  58th  F.  A.  Brigade  P.  C,  236 

Bourdon,  Lieutenant  William  R.  (124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion),  attacks 
machine  gun  nest,  332 

Bourglinster,  434 

Bourrus,  see  Bois  Bourrus 

Boussois,  see  Bois  Boussois 

Bowley,  General  Albert  J.  (Chief  of  Ar- 
tillery, Vlth  Corps,  U.S.),  inspects 
58th  F.  A.  Brigade,  438 

Brabant,  Bois  de,  86,  107 

Brabant-Samogneux  zone,  in 

Brabant-sur-Meuse,  bridges  at,  299; 
crossing  of  Meuse  at,  104,  105,  106; 
enemy  movement  near,  86;  harassed, 
337;  shelled  by  enemy,  87 

Bramville-en-Woevre,  207 

Bray-Corbie  road,  44,  45,  46,  48 

Bray-sur-Somme,  48 

Breakey,  Sergeant  John  (131st  Infantry), 
decorated,  439 

Brees,  Herbert  J.  (Chief  of  Staff,  Vllth 
Corps,  U.  S.),  431 

Brest,  debarkation  port,  23>  34,  317,  318; 
embarkation  port,  291,  446 

Bridges,  construction  by  io8th  Engi- 
neers, 100,  105 

Brieulles,  Bois  de,  93,  339 

Brieulles-sur-Meuse,  93,  339;  Kriemhild 
Stellung  near,'  67;  patrols,  340;  shelled, 

94,95,96,97,340,341,343 

Briey,  430;  headquarters  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  io8th  Engineers,  io8th 
Train  Headquarters  and  Military 
Police,  429;  important  mines  at,  61 

Brigade  and  Field  Officers'  School,  see 
Schools 

Brigade  Defense  Scheme  (65th  Brigade), 

British  Battalion  cadres  with  33rd  Divi- 
sion, 319 
British  Military  Mission,  7;  members  of, 

309 

Brocourt,  relief  stage  for  124th  Field 
Artillery,  249 

Broussey,  240,  242 

Brown,  Lieutenant  Clyde  (130th  Infan- 
try), 360 

Brown,  Preston,  428 

Brunhild  Stellung,  enemy  defense  sys- 
tem, 67 


458 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Bulgarians,  310 

Bullard,  Lieutenant  General  Robert  L. 
(Illrd  Corps,  Second  Army,  U.  S.),  57> 
61;  conference  with  General  Bell,  269, 
271,  282-283;  letter  from,  to  General 
Bell,  commending  33rd  Division,  232- 
233,  266-267,  278-279,  297;  telegram 
to,  from  G.  H.  Q.,  193 

Bullecourt,  323 

Bullington,  Major  John  J.  (132nd  Infan- 
try), 77 

Bultruy,  see  Bois  Bultruy 

Burgee,  Lieutenant  Joseph  Z.  (58th  F.  A. 
Brigade),  commended,  255 

Burgheim,  Captain  Joseph  H.  (129th 
Infantry),  358 

Burr,  Brigadier  General  George  W.  (62nd 
F.  A.  Brigade),  178 

Bussy-les  Daours,  198,  321,  399 

Butgneville,  205,  216,  419,  421;  attack 
on,  223,  415,  416;  objective  of  66th 
Brigade,  223,  4I4;  occupied  by  33rd 
Division,  267;  patrol  near,  185,  190, 
388,  391,  392,  395>  400;  shelled,  200  ^ 

Butler,  Lieutenant  General  Sir  H.  K. 
(Ilird  Corps,  British),  telegram  from, 
to  General  Bell,  commending  33rd 
Division,  49 

Butner,  Colonel  (ist  F.  A.  Brigade),  238 

Burner  artillery  grouping,  238,  239 

Buzancy,  objective  of  First  Army,  U.  S., 
in  Sedan  phase  of  Argonne-Meuse 
battle,  61 

Cabestan,  Trench  du,  158,  355,  358,  371 
Callaghan,  Lieutenant  R.  G.  W.  (British 

Military  Mission),  309 
Cameron,  Major  General  George  H.  (Vth 

Corps,  U.S.),  61,  244 
Camon  area,  51 
Camouflage,  91,  187,  188 
Camps: 

Augereau,  328; 

Chene  Gossin,  io6th  Field  Artillery 
units  at,  380,  384; 
Davoust,  328; 
De  Nixeville,  328; 
De  Placey,  328; 

Dodge  (Des  Moines,  Iowa),  troops 
sent  from,  4,  7,  24,  27,  309,  315; 
Gallieni,  328; 

Gibralter,  398;  course  in  gas  defense 
at,  400;  relief  stage  for  315th  Infantry, 

174; 

Gordon  (Ga.),  313; 

Grant  (Rockford,  111.),  alien  enemies 
in,  309;  drafts  sent  from,  3,  4,  7,  24,  25, 
27,  28,308,309,315; 


Jackson  (Columbia,  S.  C),  313; 

Lee  (Petersburg,  Va.),  314; 

Les  Tamaris,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion  at,  165,  379,  384,  386; 

Lewis  (American  Lake,  Wash.),  alien 
enemy  recruits  sent  to,  29, 315;  Colonel 
B.  C.  Smith  sent  to,  313; 

Logan  (Houston,  Tex.),  Brigadier 
General  Henry  D.  Todd,  acting  com- 
mander, 4,  31;  conditions  at,  3-5,  I4- 
15;  detachments  leave,  312,  315-316; 
Governor  Lowden  visits,  8;  Major 
General  Bell  returns  to,  9,  ii;  recruits 
arrive  at,  7,  27;  state  troops  arrive  at, 
2;  33rd  Division  assigned  to,  i; 

MacArthur  (Waco,  Tex.),  recruits 
sent  to  33rd  Division,  314; 

Merritt  (N.J.),  arrival  of  58th  F.  A. 
Brigade,  235,  316;  contingents  en  route 
to,  28,  29, 31, 33;  disembarkation  camp, 

449; 

Mills  (Long  Island,  N.  Y.),  disem- 
barkation   camp,    293,  448; 

Monthairons,  382,  386;  131st  Infan- 
try leaves,  174; 

Moulin  Brule,  378;  relief  station, 
132nd  Infantry  and  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  159; 

South  Thillombois,  I22nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion  at,  390,  417,  423; 

Taylor    (Louisville,    Ky.),    recruits 
sent  to  33rd  Division,  27,  315; 
Travis  (Tex.),  313; 
Upton   (Yaphank,  Long  Island,  N. 
Y.),  division  units  at,  29,  31,  32,  315- 
316 

Canach,  122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion 
at,  432,  433,  434 

Capellen,  442 

Carre,  Bois,  390 

Casernes  Bevaux,  379;  concentration 
point  for  33rd  Division  units,  162 

Cass,  Colonel  Lewis  T.  (General  Head- 
quarters), inspects  33rd  Division,  272 

Castelnau,  Marshal  de,  394 

Castor,  Major  H.  C.  (Assistant  Division 
Adjutant),  315;  telegram  from,  to 
Brigadier  General  Dickson,  concerning 
recruits,  16 

Casualties,  American  :33rd  Division,  166- 
167;  52nd  F.  A.  Brigade,  166-167;  66th 
Brigade,  35,  81,  145;  123rd  Field  Artil- 
lery, 237;  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battal- 
ion, 339,  340>  341.  343.  349,  362,  364, 
372,  373,  374,  375,  376,  387,  395,  403; 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  353, 
355,  365,  39°,  4^65  129th  Infantry,  96, 
97,  loi,  158,  341,  343,  349,  361,  365, 


INDEX 


459 


371.  372,  374»  375>  376,  379.  380; 
130th  Infantry,  192,  378,  390,  395; 
131st  Infantry,  49,  76,  323,  324,  339, 
401;  132nd  Infantry,  80,  323,  362,  370, 
416;  enemy.  71,  78,  114,  187,  190,  192, 
194.  219,  382,  396,  399,  404 

Caures,  Bois  de,  101,  115,  151 

Caurettes,  Ravin  des,  85,  330 

Caurieres,  proposed  attack  on,  102 

Celestins,  Les,  47 

Center,  Colonel  Charles  D.  (io8th  Train 
Headquarters  and  Military  Police), 
review,  Chicago,  294 

Cervaux Trench,  taken  byi3ist  Infantry, 
70 

Chaillon,  178,  182,  387,  389,  394,  426,  428 

Chambley,  197 

Champion,  385;  harassed  by  enemy,  208, 
403 

Champneuville,  Bois  de,  115,  126 

Chana,  Bois  du,  162,  163,  378 

Chanot,  Bois  le,  176 

Chapel  of  St.  Pantaleon,  I43;  reconnais- 
sances, 132 

Charleston,  transport,  448 

Charpentry,  Volker  Stellung  near,  66 

Chateaus: 

Carnett,    division    headquarters   at, 

^5'  .      ,     • 

D  Aulnois,  222;  occupied  by   129th 

Infantry,  4 15;  patrols  near,  203;  raids 

against,  188,  191-192,  394.  3.95.  396; 

De  Francfort,  first  armistice  confer- 
ence, 199; 

D'Hannoncelles,  196; 

De  Meysembourg,  269,  434; 

De  Thomasseau  de  Cursey,  division 
P.  C,  163; 

MolIiens-au-Bois,     division       head- 
quarters, 36,  51,  53; 

Thillombois,  174 
Chateau-Thierry  sector,  French  counter- 
stroke,  59-60 
Chatillon,  Bois  de,  93,  96 
Chattancourt,  82,  83,  100,  159,  328,  329, 

350 

Chaume  Wood,  see  Bois  de  Chaume, 

Chaumont,  444,  447;  Gas  Defense  School 
at,  325 

Chemin  des  Dames,  197 

Chene  Gossin,  Camp,  380,  384 

Chene  Woods^  see  Bois  du  Chene 

Cheppy,  Bois  de,  245 

Chevillemont,  Bois  de,  328 

Chicago,  headquarters  of  Central  Depart- 
ment, 313;  homecoming  welcome,  293, 
294.  449;  review  at,  293,  294 


Chief  Engineer,   Fourth  Army,  British, 

directs  io8th  Engineers,  36 

Chief  of  Staff,  U.  S.  Army,  informed  of 
needs  of  division,  22-23 

Chief  of  Staff,  Fourth  Army,  British, 
instructions  concerning  66th  Brigade 
and  1 22nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
3.19 

Chief  of  Staff,  33rd  Division,  see  William 
K.  Naylor,  William  H.  Simpson 

Chimay-Guise  road,  191 

Chiperfield,  Major  Burnett  M.  (Judge 
Advocate,  33rd  Division),  305 

Chipilly,  location,  44,  322 

Chipilly  Ridge,  44,  274,  297,  298;  attack 
on, 45-49 

Choisel,  379 

Christnach,  434 

Cinq  Freres,  Bois  des,  378,  380,  384. 

City  of  Poona,  transport,  235,  317 

Clair  Chenes,  Bois  des,  328 

Claude,  see  Bois  Claude 

Claudel,  General  Henri  (17th  Army 
Corps,  French),  61;  commends  officers 
of  33rd  Division,  301;  issues  orders, 
140,  150-15],  151-152,  155-156;  re- 
quests list  of  men  for  decoration,  375- 
376;  takes  over  33rd  Division,  98;  to 
command  2nd  Colonial  Army  Corps, 
French,  394 

Clayton,  Lieutenant  Colonel  E.  P.  (4th 
Illinois  Infantry),  306 

Clemenceau,  M.  Georges,  at  Metz,  263 

Clinnin,  Colonel  John  V.(  130th  Infantry), 
63.  87,  207,  293,  317;  assumes  zone 
cornrnand,  156;  sent  to  machine  gun 
training  school,  319;  review,  Chicago, 
293 

Cloman,  Colonel  (Chief  of  Staff,  29th 
Division),  372 

Cloth  and  Bath  Unit  No.  330,  U.  S.,  445 

Coady,  Major,  356 

Cobar  Trench,  45 

Coblenz,  449;  carnival,  287;  international 
horse  show,  287 

Collins,  Colonel  Edgar  T.  (Chief  of  Staff, 
Vlth  Corps,  U.S.),  271,  439 

Colmar-Berg,  reconnaissance,  267 

Colored  Troops,  see  Eighth  Illinois  Infan- 
try    _ 

Columbia  (S.  C),  Camp  Jackson,  313 

Combres,  207,  401,  415;  harassed  by 
enemy,  208 

Combres  Hill,  207,  395,  399,  402,  413 

Combres  Wood,  see  Bois  de  Combres 

Commanding  General,  American  Expe- 
ditionary Forces,  see  Pershing,  General 
John  J. 


460 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Commercy,  railroad's  importance,  60 

Commune  of  Capellen,  440 

Concord  (Centre  of  Resistance),  2nd 
Battalion,  316th  Infantry  relieved,  176 

Conflans,  197,  207,  266,  428,  430;  division 
P.  C,  4^9;  evacuation  reported,  259 

Conflans-Etain  area,  262,  263 

Connecticut  subsector,  388,  394,  395, 
396;  command  transferred  from  79th 
to  33rd  Division,  173,  178,  387; 
occupied  by:  123rd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  386,  390;  130th  Infantry, 
385,  387;  311th  Machine  Gun  Battal- 
ion, 386;  313th  Infantry,  385,  387 

Conscientious  objectors,  15 

Consenvoye,  72, 76, 98, 102,  1 17,  1 24,  137, 
138,  142,  157,  23S,  336,  341,  347.  348, 
353,  354,  360,  361,  364,  366,  367,  372, 
373,  375;  bridge  at,  103,  105,  139,  143, 
299,  343>  360;  German  retreat  to,  78; 
sector,  378,  380;  shelled  by  enemy,  155, 
158,  159 

Consenvoye-Brabant  road,  105,  ^66,  372, 

Consenvoye  Wood,  see  Bois  de  Consen- 
voye , 
Consenvoye-Etraye  road,  149 
Consenvoye-Gercourt  road,  373 
Consenvoye-Reville  road,  352 
Consenvoye-Richene  road,  108,  112 
Consenvoye-Sivry  road,  112,  123,  132 
Contern,  440,  442 
Convoys,  33rd  Division,  ^3 
Corbie,  322 

Corbie-Bray  road,  ^4,  45,  46,  48 
Corny,  objective  of  V'lth  Corps,  U.  S.,  21 1 
Corps  conference,  before  battle  of  Hamel, 

Cotes: 

De-Biolle,  385; 

De-les-Eparges,  385; 

De  rOie,  62,  98,  100,  iii,  343,  350; 

De  Meuse,  180; 

De   St.    Pantaleon,    reconnaissance, 

131; 

De  Talou,  work  of  io8th  Engineers 
at,  329; 

Des   Grands-Pres,   position   of    2nd 
Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  75,  79,  86; 
Des  Roches,  345; 

Lemont,  see  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont 
Courcellette,  197 
Covington,  transport,  317,  318 
Cowles,    Major    William    C,    becomes 
Division  Inspector,  313;  goes  to  Army 
General  Staff  College,  Langres,  337 
Cox,    Colonel    Albert    L.    (113th    Field 
Artillery),  180 


Craig,  Brigadier  General  Malin  (Chief  of 
Staff,  Third  Army,  U.  S.),  431 

Crepion,  102 

Cronin,  Lieutenant  Patrick  D.  (131st 
Infantry),  occupies  Bois  de  Warville, 
206;  withdrawn,  215,  409 

Cronkhite,  Major  General  Adelbert  (80th 
Division),  61,  277;  letter  from,  to 
General  Bell,  commending  33rd  Divi- 
sion, 279 

Cuisy,  92 

Cuisy,  Bois  de,  65 

Cuisy-Gercourt-et-Drillancourt  road,  153 

Culbertson,  Major  Albert  L.  (123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion),  63,  82,  317; 
commendation  of,  406;  review  in  Chi- 
cago, 293 

Cumieres,  62,  81,  85,  88,  89,  159,  162; 
shelled  by  enemy,  91;  work  of  108th 
Engineers  at,  329 

Cumieres-Raffecourt  road,  88,  89,  338 

Cumieres  sector,  56 

Cunel,  objective,  92 

Curr,  Private  William,  decorated,  439 

Daily  Mail  Line,  construction  of,  37 

Daly,  Captain  E.  C.  (122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion),  review,  Chicago,  293 

Dame,  Bois  la,  221 

Damvillers,  135 

Daniels,  Honorable  Josephus  (Secretary 
of  the  Navy),  448 

Dannevoux,  62,  74,  109,  112,  117,  136, 
138,  143,  161,  335,  355,  366;  materiel 
taken  near,  74,  76;  shelled  by  enemy, 
126;  Volker  Stellung  near,  66 

Dannevoux  sector,  356,  366,  367 

Dannevoux  Wood,  see  Bois  de  Danne- 
voux 

Dans  les  Vaux,  120,  121;  defense  of,  124 

Davis,  Colonel  Abel  (132nd  Infantry),  62, 
114,  169,  343,  346,  348,  349,  350; 
account  of  combat  patrols,  114-115; 
assumes  command  of  132nd  Infantry, 
314,  317;  commands  provisional  regi- 
ment of  alien  enemies,  13;  review, 
Chicago,  293;  sent  to  Machine  Gun 
Training  School,  319 

Davis,  Colonel  Charles  G.  (123rd  Field 
Artillery),  arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  305; 
artillery  commander,  244;  review, 
Chicago,  294 

Davis,  Bugler  Hildred  D.  (124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion),  bravery  of,  418 

Davis,  Robert  C.  (Adjutant  General),  234 

Davis  artillery  grouping,  238,  239 

Davoust,  Camp,  328 


IXDEX 


461 


De  Borris,  Private  S.  (ijist  Infantry), 
decorated,  439 

Decize,  motor  transport  school,  329 

Decorations,  51-52,  274,  288,  289,  291, 
439,  445)  446,447.  448,  451 

Dela,  see  Bois  d'en  Dela 

Delolime,  Bois,  162,  378 

Demobilization,  295 

Department  of  Justice,  internment  of 
alien  enemies,  310 

Derby,  Lord,  at  Metz,  263 

Dessez,  Lieutenant  Leon  (58th  F.  A. 
Brigade),  narrative  of  brigade  activi- 
ties, 236-256 

Deuxnouds,  242;  headquarters  of  66th 
Brigade,  421,  423,  428;  occupied  by 
131st  Infantry,  182,  394,  395 

Dickman,  Major  General  Joseph  T.  (I  Vth 
Corps,  U.S.),  telegram  to,  from  General 
Pershing,  commending  I  Vth  Corps,  24 1 

Dickson,  Brigadier  General  Frank  S. 
(Adjutant  General  of  Illinois),  tele- 
gram to,  from  Major  H.  C.  Castor, 
concerning  recruits,  16-17 

Diekirch,  269,  434,  440,  444;  division 
headquarters,  268,  433,  436,  437,  438, 
446;  horse  show  at,  280;  reconnaissance, 
.-67 

Dieue-sur-Meuse,  164;  division  P.C.,  163, 
165, 384 

Dieulet,  forest,  253 

Division  Adjutant,  see  Huidekoper,  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Frederic  L.,  evolution 
of  oiSce,  310 

Division  Commander,  see  Bell,  Major 
General  George,  Jr. 

Division  Education  Centre  (Vianden), 
command  of,  281;  enlarged,  285;  see 
Schools 

Division  Education  Officer  (Major  George 
E.  Roth,  58th  F.  A.  Brigade),  281 

Division  Headquarters  in  France  and 
Luxembourg,  Aumetz,  264,  430; 
Bethelainville,  82;  Blercourt,  56;  Chat- 
eau Thomasseau  de  Cursey,  Dieue-sur- 
Meuse,  163;  Conflans,  263,  264,  428, 
429,  430;  Diekirch,  268,  433,  438; 
Dieue-sur-Meuse,  163,  173,  178,  384; 
Esch,  264,  267,  430,  431,  432,  433; 
Fromereville,  56;  Grevenmacher,  267, 
433;  Havre,  34;  Huppy,  3S,  La  Hutte 
(in  Bois  Bourrus),  58, 95,  loi,  1 17, 127, 
139,  150,  I55j  160,  212;  MoUiens-au- 
Bois,  36,  51;  Rouen,  34;  Tronville-en- 
Barrois,  54,  325;  Troyon-sur-Meuse, 
178,183,225,423 

Division  Headquarters,  review  of,  293 


Division  Headquarters  Troop,  325,  428, 
429. 430, 431,  432, 433. 434. 437. 438 

Division  Infantry  School,  see  Schools 

Division  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  see 
122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion 

Division  Machine  Gun  Officer,  orders 
from,  339 

Division  musketry  competition  for  infan- 
try platoons,  ^4$ 

Division  School  of  Operations,  see  Schools 

Division  Signal  Officer,  see  Truesdeil, 
Major  Karl 

Division  Staff,  310;  assigned,  2;  reaches 
Camp  Upton,  31;  sails,  j^,  317 

Division  stockade,  314 

Division  Surgeon,  see  Lieutenant  Colonel 
L.  M.  Hathaway 

Division  theatrical  troupe,  Paris  success, 
282 

Division  Training  Centre,  see  Schools 

Dodd,  Major  Brendon  J.  (132nd  Infan- 
try), 77,  418 

Dodd,  Captain  Patrick  J.  Ci24th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion),  account  of  armistice 
day,  229,  419 

Dodge,  Camp  (Des  Moines,  Iowa), 4,  7, 
24.  27,309,315 

Dommeldingen,  school  at,  281,  285,  286, 

443 
Doncourt-aux-Templiers,   182,   192,   195, 

202,  206,  387,  397,  398,  400,  411,  415, 

421,  429;  assembly  point  tor  attack  on 

Bois    d'Harville,    213,   401,  402,    407; 

harassed     by    enemy,     182-183,    416; 

occupied  by  i32ndInfantry,2i7;patrols 

near,  192,  390,  397 
Doncourt-St.  Hilaire  road,  patrols  near, 

195,  400;  shelled  by  enemy,  196 
Doncourt-Woel  road,  assembly  point  for 

attack  on  Bois  d'Harville,  401,  402 
Donner,    Lieutenant    Clay    M.     (io8th 

Mobile  Ordnance  Repair  Shop),  293 
D'Ormont  Ferme,  115 
Douglas,    Lieutenant    Julian    L.    (131st 

Infantry),  in  attack  on  Bois  d'Harville, 

410 
Doulaincourt,  249 
Drillancourt,  349,  355,  373;  engagement 

near,  71;  objective  of  131st  Infantry, 

62,  63,  76;  shelled  by  enemy,  155 
Drillancourt-Forges  road,  77 
Droitaumont,  428 

Dufour,  Lieutenant  Leon  (French  Mili- 
tary Mission),  310 
Dugny,  163,  165,  380,  384 
Dun-sur-Meuse,  437;  KriemhildStellung, 

near,  67 


462 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Dunne,  Private  Christopher  C.  (131st 
Infantry),  decorated,  439 

Earle,  Rear  Admiral,  448 

Echternach,  disorders  at.  269,  273,  434, 
^  436;  Vlth  Corps  Headquarters,  286 

Ecluse,  331 

Edwards,  Major  General  Clarence  R. 
(26th  Division),  102 

Eich,  440,  442 

Eiffel,  Centre  of  Resistance,  63 

Eighteenth  Division  (17th  Army  Corps, 
French),  89,  98,  103,  107,  440;  artillery 
support  at  Molleville  Ferme,  148,  152; 
assignment  of  57th  Brigade  to,  118; 
bridges  canal  at  Samogneux,  105;  cable 
communication  with,  69;  commenda- 
tions of,  151,  234;  liaison  with  33rd 
Division,  62;  manoeuvre  south  of  Bois 
de  Chaume,  109,  351;  mission,  loi,  1 18, 
.13 1 >  135.  140.  146,  156,  345;  operations 
in  Bois  d'Ormont,  131,  134,  135,  146, 
345;  raid  on  east  bank  of  Meuse,  330; 
relieved  by  26th  Division,  near 
Molleville  Ferme,  146,  154;  strong 
opposition  in  Bois  d'Haumont,  106; 
supported  by   29th   Division,    151 

Eighth  Battalion  (London  Regiment), 
part  of  174th  Brigade,  British,  324 

Eighth  Illinois  Infantry  (colored),  310; 
arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  305,  306; 
assigned  to  33rd  Division,  4;  becomes 
370th  Infantry  (185th  Brigade),  308; 
review  of,  308 

Eighth  Regiment  Foot  Artillery,  French, 
244 

Eightieth  Division,  U.S.,  82,  328;  Meuse 
operations,  58,  61,  73,  84,  87,  331,  332, 
337;  missions  assigned,  92,  94;  relieved, 
86,  328;  units  of,  relieve  33rd  Division, 

Eighty-eighth  Division,  U.S.,  alien  ene- 
mies from,  309;  recruits  from  Camp 
Dodge  sent  to  Camp  Logan,  27,  309, 
.315 

Eighty-first  Division,  U.S.,  at  Camp 
Jackson    (Columbia,    S.   C),  313 

Eighty-fourth  Division,  U.  S.,  recruits 
from  Camp  Taylor  sent  to  Camp  Logan, 
.27,315 

Eighty-ninth  Division,  U.S.,  assigned  to 
IVth  Corps,  U.  S.,  Meuse-Argonne 
campaign,  329;  attachment  of  58th  F. 
A.  Brigade  to,  235,  451;  captures,  252; 
supported  by  ist  Battalion,  122nd  Field 
Artillery,  236 


Eighty-second  Division,  U.  S.,  Meuse- 
Argonne  campaign,  assigned  to  Vth 
Corps,   U.  S.,  329 

Eighty-sixth  Division,  U.  S.,  alien  ene- 
mies in,  309;  sends  recruits  from  Camp 
Grant  to  33rd  Division,  3,  4,  27,  315 

Eleventh  Army  Corps,  French,  area  in 
Luxembourg  assigned,  275 

Eleventh  Australian  Brigade,  322 

Eleventh  Field  Artillery,  U.  S.,  advance 
to  Remonville,  251;  joins  58th  F.  A. 
Brigade,  249 

Ellacott,  Captain  (Company  G,  130th 
Infantry),  commands  troops,  Saulx-en- 
Woevre,  399 

Ely,  Major  General  Hanson  E.  (5th 
Division),  conference  with  General  Bell, 
269 

Ely,  Sergeant,  captures  prisoners,   Bois 

,  d'Harville,  410 

Eparges,  197 

Eparges,  Bois  des,  174,  381,  383,  385,  400, 

,  420 

Eparges,  Cote  de  le«,  385 

Epasse,  Bois  le,  250 

Epines  Woods,  see  Bois  des  Epines 

Epinonville,  Hagen  Stellung  Nord,  near, 

Epinonville  area,  246 

Eppeldorf,  434 

Ermsdorf,  434 

Erpeldingen,  434;  musketry  competition, 

Erzberger,  telegram  to  German  High 
Command,  226 

Esch,  263;  boxing  matches  at,  283;  divi- 
sion P.  C,  267,  430,  431,  432,  433 

Esnes,  82,  85 

Etain-Conflans  area,  262,  263 

Etinehem,  48 

Etinehem-Morlancourt  road,  48 

Etraye-Consenvoye  road,  149 

Etrayes,  Bois  de,  102,  156 

Ettelbruck,  289;  P.  C.  65th  Brigade,  269, 
434,  437,  438;  review  at,  287 

Eu,  319 

Evergreen  Woods,  raid  on,  399 

Faubourg  Pave,  161,  162,  165,  173,  177, 

384 
Fays,  see  Bois  de  Fays 
Fermes: 

Bamont,  82; 

Bertaucourt,  205,  21 2,  214,  215,  389, 
408,417; 

Bertrame,  245; 
D'Ormont,  108,  115; 


INDEX 


463 


Frana,  328; 

La  Dhuy,  249,  250,  251,  253; 
La  Madeleine,  327; 
Molleville,     58th     Brigade  counter- 
attack on,  345,  351,  352; 
Pontoux,  380 

Field  Hospital,  U.  S.,  307 

Fifteenth  Australian  Battalion,  assign- 
ments from  132nd  Infantry  for  Hamel 
campaign,  319;  opinion  of  American 
troops,  324 

Fifteenth  Colonial  Infantry  Division, 
French,  102,  344,  376;  commended, 
234;  flank  defense,  Meuse,  104;  relieves 
33rd  Division,  Consenvoye  sector,  378 

Fifth  Colonial  Infantry,  French,  159 

Fifth  Corps,  U.  S.,  assignment  of  divi- 
sions to,  329;  headquarters,  Ville-sur- 
Cousances,  244-245;  importance  of 
advance,  255;  St.  Mihiel  drive,  237; 
Sedan-Mezieres  drive,  60-62 

Fifth  Division,  U.  S.,  assigned  to  IVth 
Corps,  U.S.,  329;  in  Luxembourg  area, 
263,  269,275 

Fifth  Illinois  Infantry,  arrives  at  Camp 
Logan,  305,  306;  assignment  of  com- 
panies to  129th  Infantry,  130th  Infan- 
try, io8th  Ammunition  Train,  io8th 
Supply  Train,  io8th  Train  Head- 
quarters and  Military  Police,  io8th 
Engineer  Train  and  122nd,  123rd,  and 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalions,  4,  307, 
.308 

Fifth  Illinois  Infantry  Band,  310;  sent  to 
Leon  Springs,  Tex.,  313 

Fifty-eighth  Brigade  (29th  Division), 
119,  122;  attached  to  i8th  Divi- 
sion, French,  loi,  102,  131;  counter- 
attacked in  Bois  de  Chaume  by  167th 
Infantry  of  the  32nd  German  Division, 
350;  counterattacked  in  Molleville 
Ferme,  351;  Meuse  operations:  objec- 
tive, Molleville  Ferme,  345,  352;  Mal- 
brouck,  345;  position  of  units,  345; 
relieved  at  Bois  de  Fays,  97,  342 

Fifty-eighth  Division,  British,  at  Gres- 
saire  Wood,  45,  46 

Fifty-eighth  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  U.S., 
3,  6,  55,  298;  artillery  concentration, 
November,  1918,  250;  at  Bois  de  Par- 
ois,  242;  at  Camp  Merritt,  235,  316; 
attached  to  89th  Division,  235,  250, 
251;  decorated,  Ettelbruck,  289;  depar- 
ture from  Camp  Logan,  235;  detached 
from  33rd  Division,  179,  298-299; 
fought  with  89th,  1st,  91st  and  32nd 
divisions,  299,  451;  headquarters: 
Barricourt,  253;  Beaumont,  240;  Boucq, 


236;  La  Dhuy  Ferme,  253;  Remonville, 
253;  Schonfels,  438;  Tailly,  253;  Ville- 
sur-Cousances,  249; 

in  England,  235;  inspected  by  Gener- 
al Bowley,  438;  mission,  St.  Mihiel 
salient,  238;  ordered  to  Diekirch  area, 
438;  organization  at  Camp  Logan,  5; 
position  occupied  near  Grand  Cour- 
onne,  243;  rejoins  33rd  Division  in 
Luxembourg,  272,  299;  reviewed: 
Camp  Logan,  8,  310;  Chicago,  294; 

sails  from  Hoboken,  235,  317;  sent 
from  St.  Mihiel  to  Second  French 
Army,  242;  sketch  of  brigade's  history, 
235-256;  supply  difficulties,  Laneu- 
ville,  254-255;  training  with  French, 
I79>  235,  299;  units  of,  420 

Fifty-eighth  Infantry,  U.  S.,  relieved  by 
132nd  Infantry,  125 

Fifty-eighth  London  Division,  units 
composing,  324 

Fifty-fifth  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  U.  S., 
191,  258,  272,  298;  headquarters:  Esch, 
430;  Longuyon,  430;  Longwy,  430; 
Puxe,  428,  429;  Remich,  431,  437; 
Spincourt,  429,  430;  Troyon,  423,  428; 
mission  against  Bois  d'Harville,  2i2; 
ordered  south  of  line  Arlon-Kopsal- 
Lorentzweiler,  437;  ordered  to  Leude- 
lange  area,  427;  ordered  to  vacate 
Bissen,  437;  rejoins  28th  Division  at 
Woinyille,  272,  436,  437;  supports  33rd 
Division,  175,  179 

Fifty-ninth  Infantry,  U.  S.,  97,  342; 
relieved  by  3rd  Battalion,  132nd  Infan- 
try, 125  _  _ 

Fifty-second  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  U. 
S.,  89,  135;  at  Dieue-sur-Meuse  and 
Bois  la  Ville,  164;  attached  to  33rd 
Division  on  British  front,  55,  298; 
attack.  Ravin  de  Moyemont,  142; 
casualties,  166-167;  counterbattery 
against  enemy  artillery,  85,  92,  96, 
126,  360;  distribution  of  units  near 
Verdun,  161-162;  headquarters:  Dieue- 
sur-Meuse,  384;  La  Hutte,  329; 

movement  to  Bois  des  Sartelles,  56; 
position,  Meuse  campaign,  153;  sup- 
ports 33rd  Division,  55,  298;  Verdun 
sector  casualties,  166-167 

Fifty-seventh  Brigade  (29th  Division), 
132;  artillery  concentration,  offensive, 
November  19 18,  250;  Meuse  opera- 
tions: assigned  to  i8th  Division, 
French,  near  Bois  de  la  Grande  Mon- 
tagne,  118;  in  17th  Army  Corps, 
French,  reserve,  1 1 1 


464 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


First  Army,  U.  S.,  52,  207,  440;  assign- 
ment of  33rd  Division  to,  52,  54,  450; 
detachment  of  33rd  Division  from,  55; 
in  Luxembourg,  260;  Meuse-Argonne 
operations:  heavy  losses,  84;  plan  of 
attack,  92,  237,  242,  342;  territory 
gained,  93;  units  composing,  61,  237 

First   Austro-Hungarian    Division,    145, 

351 

First  Corps,  U.  S.,  Meuse-Argonne  opera- 
tion, assignment  of  divisions  to,  329; 
St.  Mihiel  salient,  237;  Sedan-Mezieres 
drive,  61,  243 

First  Division,  U.  S.,  241,  242;  aided  by 
58th  F.  A._  Brigade,  238,  241,  451; 
artillery  units,  238 

First  Field  Artillery  Brigade,  U.  S.,  238 

First  Gas  and  Flame  Regiment,  U.  S., 
Meuse-Argonne  campaign,  63,  91,  94, 
328,331.337 

First  Illinois  Ambulance  Company, 
arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  306 

First  Illinois  Cavalry,  becomes  2nd  Illi- 
nois Field  Artillery,  then  122nd  Field 
Artillery,  5 

First  Illinois  Engineers,  less  Companies 
A  and  E,  arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  305; 
Company  A  arrives  at  Camp  Logan, 
306;  Company  E  arrives  at  Camp 
Logan,  305 

First  Illinois  Field  Hospital,  arrives  at 
Camp  Logan,  305 

First  Illinois  Infantry,  arrives  at  Camp 
Logan,  306;  becomes  131st  Infantry, 
66th  Brigade,  307;  detention  of,  at 
Camp  Grant,  307;  transfer  requested 
by  Major  General  Bell,  307 

First  Illinois  Infantry  Brigade,  formerly 
64th  Brigade,  becomes  66th  Brigade, 
308  _ 

First  Provisional  Regiment,  at  Camp 
Logan,  27 

Fishbach,  434 

Fishburne,  Lieutenant  James  A.  (124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion),  365 

Fisher,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Walter  A. 
(io8th  Ammunition  Train),  com- 
mendation of,  245;  review,  Chicago, 
294         _      _ 

Flabas,  objective,  102,  iii 

Fleming,  JBrigadier  General  Adrian  S. 
(158th  F.  A.  Brigade),  command  of 
Foreman  and  Hackett  artillery  group- 
ings, 244 

Fleury,  242 

Flipo,  Captain  Joseph,  (French  Military 
Mission),  310 


Foch,  Marshal  Ferdinand,  323;  armistice 
notice,  185;  at  Metz,  263;  first  armis- 
tice conference,  199;  new  zone  arrange- 
ment, 282;  telegram  from,  to:  Com- 
manders-in-Chief, 225;  German  High 
Command,  191;  17th  Army  Corps, 
French,  198;  33rd  Division,  concern- 
ing armistice  rumor,  198 

Foote,  Captain  Percy  (naval  aide),  on 
board  the  Mount  Vernon,  448 

Ford,  Lieutenant  A.  G.  (Staff,  58th  F.  A, 
Brigade),  commendation,   245 

Foreman,  Colonel  Milton  J.  (122nd  Field 
Artillery),  317,  422;  commander  of  2nd 
Illinois  Field  Artillery,  305;  commands 
1 22nd  Field  Artillery,  311;  exemption 
from  attendance  at  Brigade  and  Field 
Officers'  School  requested,  311;  prize 
at  Diekirch,  281;  review,  Chicago,  294 

Foreman  artillery  subgrouping,  244,  254 

Foret,  Bois  de,  61,  93,  130,  141,  339,  343 

Forets: 

D'Apremont,  238; 
De  Dieulet,  captured,  253; 
De  Hesse,  244; 

De  la  Reine,  240;  attained,  17th 
Army  Corps,  French,  126;  58th  F_.  A. 
Brigade  in,  236,  240;  gun  positions 
in,  237;  objective  17th  Army  Corps, 
French,   102,   118.      See  also  Bois 

Forges,  77,  330;  attack  on,  79;  shelled  by 
enemy,  91,  99 

Forges  Brook,  62,  64,  65,  68,  69,  77 

Forges  Woods,  see  Bois  de  Forges 

Forges-Bethincourt  road,  69,  70,  77,  150, 

Forges-Dnllancourt  road,  77,  78,  79 
Forts: 

De  Bourrus,  82; 
De  Troyon,  174,  261,  386,  424; 
Des  Paroches,  188,  393; 
Des  Sartelles,  328; 
Du  Camp  des  Romains,  188,  393; 
Du  Chana,  328; 
Du  Troyon,  427 
Forty-fifth  German  Division,  196-197 
Forty-fourth  Infantry,   U.  S.,  alien   ene- 
mies assigned  to,  28-29 
Forty-fourth    Regiment    (17th    Colonial 

Army  Corps,  French),  238 
Forty-second  Australian  Battalion,  Amer- 
ican troops  with,  319 
Forty-second     Division,     U.S.     ("Rain- 
bow"), 307;  embarked  at  Brest,_  446; 
Meuse-Argonne     campaign,     assigned 
to  IVth  Corps,  U.S.,  329 
Forty-third  Australian  Battalion,  Amer- 
ican troops  with,  319 


INDEX 


465 


Fosse  a  Terre,  Bois  la,  126 

Fosses,  Bois  les,  115 

Foster,  Brigadier  General  David  J.  (ist 
Brigade,  Illinois  National  Guard),  307; 
assigned  to  command  64th  Brigade,  4, 
30';;  commander,  1st  Illinois  Infantry 
Brigade,  308;  honorably  discharged,  13 

Foug,  236 

Four  Hundred  Thirty-ninth  German 
Regiment,  before  St.  Hilaire  sector,  196 

Fourmies-La  Capelle  road,  200 

Fourteenth  Cavalry,  U.S.,  Troop  D, 
reviewed,  310 

Fourth  Army,  British,  33rd  Division 
with,  35,  37,  450 

Fourth  Army,  French,  61 

Fourth  Army  area,  British,  33rd  Divi- 
sion training  in,  320,  450 

Fourth  Australian  Division,  objective, 
Bois  de  Vaire,  39:  units  composing, 
battle  of  Hamel,  322 

Fourth  Corps,  U.S.,  commended  by 
General  Pershing,  241;  Meuse-Argonne 
operations:  assignment  of  divisions  to, 
258,  329,  451;  St.  Mihiel  salient,  237; 

mission,  Troyon-sur-Meuse,  201; 
released  prisoners,  259;  Troyon-sur- 
Meuse  campaign:  limit,  177;  recon- 
naissance, 192 

Fourth  Division,  U.  S.,  Meuse  operations: 
aided  by  80th  Division  Artillery,  337; 
liaison  with  65th  Brigade,  93;  relief 
units  of,  82;  supported  by  123rd  and 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalions,  339; 
units  under  command  of  33rd  Division, 

relieves  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infan- 
try, 328;  units  of,  relieve  33rd  Division, 
58;  3rd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry, 
assigned  to,  342 

Fourth  Illinois  Ambulance  Company, 
arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  306 

Fourth  Illinois  Field  Hospital,  arrives  at 
Camp  Logan,  306 

Fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  arrives  at  Camp 
Logan,  306;  becomes  130th  Infantry, 
307;  Company  F,  arrives  at  Camp 
Logan,  305 

Frana  Ferme,  328 

Frankenberger,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sam- 
uel, sent  to  Camp  Travis,  Tex.,  313 

Franvillers,  45 

Fraternization,  prohibition  of,  226,  230, 
257,423,425 

Frederickson,  Major  Frederick  C,  M.  C. 
(3rd  Illinois  Field  Hospital),  306 

Frehaut,  Bois  de,  405 


French  civilians,  distribution  of  food  to, 
269-270,  435 

French  Military  Mission,  314;  members 
of,  3 1  o 

Fresnes-en-Woevre,  190,  212,  213,  387, 
391,  402,  403,  406,  413,  420;  patrols 
from,  203,  394;  raids  near,  191,  395; 
shelled  by  enemy,  183,  403 

Fresnes-Villers  road,  405 

Freya  Stellung,  243;  fall  of,  252 

Froidos,  242 

Fromereville,  159,  329;  division  head- 
quarters, 56 

Gale,  Captain  Carroll  M.  (131st  Infan- 
try), 70 

Gale,  Major  Paul  C.  (132nd  Infantry),  77 

Gallieni,  Camp,  328 

Galveston  (Tex.),  18 

Gardenhire,  Lieutenant  Colonel  William 
C,  260;  Division  Quartermaster,  305 

Garrity,  Colonel  John  J.,  commander  2nd 
Illinois  Infantry,  306;  resigns  commis- 
sion, 314;  transferred  from  132nd  to 
130th  Infantry,  26 

Gas  Defense  Schools,  see  Schools 

Gaston,  Private  G.  F.  (131st  Infantry), 
decorated,  439 

Gegenback,  Lieutenant  Herman  V.  (131st 
Infantry),  assigned  to  attack  La  Ber- 
taucourt  Ferme,  215;  reaches  Bois  la 
Vachere,  205 

Genicourt-sur-Meusfe,  headquarters  of 
65th  Brigade,  426,  428;  headquarters 
of  66th  Brigade,  164,  384;  rest  area, 

173. 174 
Genicourt-Monthairons   area,   164,   174, 

384 
Genousevaux  Ravine,  400 
George  V,  King  of  England,  honors  mem- 
bers of  33rd  Division,  51;  of  the  131st 

Infantry,  274 
George  IVashington,  transport,  317 
Gercourt-et-Drillancourt,    71,    73,     136, 

159.  33'^->  373;. enemy  position,  64,  332; 

Meuse  operations,  62,  63,  76,  84,  155 
Gercourt-et-Drillancourt  —  Bethincourt 

road,  148 
Gercourt-et-Drillancourt  —  Consenvoye 

road,  72,  76,373 
Gercourt-et-Drillancourt  —  Cuisy  road, 

153 
German    High    Command,   classes   33rd 
Division    efficient,    296;    telegram    to, 
from:  Erzberger,   226;  German  Pleni- 
potentiaries, 200,  226;  Marshal  Foch, 

191 
German  Palatinate  of  the  Rhine,  265 


466 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


German  Plenipotentiaries,  telegram  from, 
to  German  High  Command,  200 

Germans,  ask  conference,  191;  channel 
drive,  42,  44;  conditions  and  morale, 
184,  189,  204,  219-221;  counterattacks 
on  Bois  d'Harville,  216;  defense  sys- 
tems, 65-67,  346;  desperate  resistance, 
heights  of  Meuse,  166;  first  armistice 
conference,  198-199;  fraternization, 
226,  230,  257;  importance  of  defeats: 
Bois  de  Forges,  77-80,  329;  Hamel, 
41-42,  323;  Sedan-Mezieres,  60,  220- 
222,  242-243;  St.  Mihiet,  60; 

order  of  battle,  Hilaire  sector,  196; 
prisoners  and  materiel,  4I,  47,  48,  49, 
71,  72,  74,  75,  80,  81,  97,  115,  130,  145, 
151,  167,  196,  331,  332,  2,33.^  334,  337; 
release  prisoners  on  American  front, 
258;  resistance  south  of  Bois  de 
Chaume,  148;  retreat:  near  St.  Hilaire, 
201;  Troyon-sur-Meuse  sector,  210; 

unprepared  tor  American  crossing  of 
Meuse,  104 

Germany,  armistice  with,  198,  199,  225, 
254,418,419 

Germonville,  81;  headquarters,  65th  Bri- 
gade, 378 

Gery,  325 

Gesnes,  91st  Division  objective,  245; 
headquarters,  58th  F.  A.  Brigade,    249 

Gibralter,  Camp,  174,  398,  400 

Gironville,  242 

Giselher  Stellung,  reached,  115 

Givens,  Captain  Fred  G.  (130th  Infan- 
try), raid  on  Evergreen  Woods,  399 

Glisy  (France),  headquarters  3rd  Austra- 
lian Division,  320 

Godley,  Lieutenant  General  Alex,  53; 
telegram  from,  to  General  Bell,  com- 
mending 33rd  Division,  52 

Goodman,  Lieutenant  Allan  R.  (124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion),  407;  account 
of  attack  on  Butgneville,  415,  416 

Gondrecourt,  Gas  Defense  School  at,  see 
Schools 

Gordon,  Camp  (Ga.),  313 

Gourley,  Sergeant  George  B.  (131st  In- 
fantry), decorated,  439 

Gowen,  Colonel  James  B.  (General 
Headquarters),  inspection,  272,  443 

Grand  Couronne,  243 

Grand  Duchy,  see  Luxembourg 

Grande  Tranchee  de  Calonne,  177,  386 

Grande  Montagne,  see  Bois  de  la  Grande 
Montagne 

Grandpre,  67 

Grandpre — Varennes,  road,  67 

Grands-Pres,  Cote  des,  75,  79,  86 


Grant,  Camp  (Rockford,  111.),  3,  4,  7,  24, 
25,  27,  28,308,309,315  _ 

Grantham  (England)  machine  gun  train- 
ing school,  319,  325 

Gravenhorst,  Major  Albert  H.  (130th 
Infantry),  404;  Marcheville  report,  208 

Green,  Colonel  Charles  H.  (129th  Infan- 
try), 306;  commander  of  129th  Infan- 
try>  317;  relieved  trom  command  of 
129th  Infantry,  325;  sent  to  Machine 
Gun  Training  School,  319 

Gressaire  Wood,  battle  of,  274,  297,  298; 
attack,  44-49;  casualties,  49;  congrat- 
ulations from  British,  49,  50;  impor- 
tance of  position,  44-45,  50;  prisoners 
and  materiel,  47-48,  49 

Grevenmacher,  432,  433;  division  head- 
quarters, 267,  433;  evacuated  by  131st 
Infantry,  286;  occupied  by  io8th  Sani- 
tary Train,  432,.433 

Griffin,  Rear  Admiral,  448 

Gue  Semette,  Ravin  du,  75,  100 

Guerpont,  325 

Guise-Chimay  road,  191 

Gulbrandsen,  Lieutenant  Arvid  W.(i32nd 
Infantry),  attack  on  machine  gun  nest, 
347-348  . 

Gumpertz,  Sergeant  Sidney  G.  (132nd 
Infantry),  decorated,  274 

Gunther,  Lieutenant  (130th  Infantry), 
355 

Haan,  Major  General  William  George 
(Vllth  Corps,  U.S.),  visited  at  Treves 
by  General  Bell,  266 

Hackett,  Colonel  Horatio  B.  (124th  Field 
Artillery,)  422;  exemption  from  atten- 
dance at  Brigade  and  Field  Officers* 
School  requested,  311;  promotion  of, 
312;  sails,  317;  wounded,  246 

Hackett  artillery  subgrouping,  238,  239, 

244. 
Haddie,  code  word  for  319th  Infantry, 

80th  Division,  332 
Hagen   Stellung  Nord,  broken   through, 

115;  objective  of  Ilird  Corps,  U.S.,  62, 

65 

Haig,  Field  Marshal  Sir  Douglas,  319, 
321;  at  Metz,  263;  telegram,  from,  to 
General  Bell,  commending  33rd  Divi- 
sion, 42;  visits  General  Bell,  35 

Haines,  Major  Frederick  S.  (io8th  Sup- 
ply Train),  317 

Hall,  Lieutenant  Burl  F.  (131st  Infantry), 
205 

Hall,  Captain  Harris  F.  (6th  Illinois 
Infantry),  commander,  Company  M, 
306 


INDEX 


467 


Ham,  197 

Hamel  area,  occupied  by  66th  Brigade,  5 1 
Hamel,  battle  of:  297,  298,  311;  Ameri- 
cans brigaded  with  Australians,  37-38, 
320,  324,  450;  attack,  39-4I,  322;  corps 
conference,  to  plan,  320;  importance, 

^,  42,3^3.3^4 

*' Hamel  re-entrant,"  320 

Hamel  Woods,  see  Bois  de  Hamel 

Hannonville-sous-les-Cotes,  207, 396, 398, 

40s 
Hansen,  Captain  Arthur  B.,  M.  C,  com- 
mandant, Sanitary  School  at  Redingen, 

443 

Haraumont,  95,  128,  138,  360 

Haravillers  Woods,  409 

Hard,  Colonel  (113th  Infantry),  387,  398 

Harrisburg,  transport,  448 

Harville,  192;  objective,  65th  Brigade, 
212.     See  also  Bois  d'Harville 

Harville-Jonville  road,  214,  410 

Hathaway,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Levy  M. 
(Surgeon,  33rd  Division),  305 

Haucourt,  35 

Haudainville,  164,  379 

Haudiomont,  192 

Haudronvilles,  Bois  des,  185,  212 

Haudroy-Trelon  road,  199 

Haumont,  345,  observatory  seized,  loi 

Haumont  Woods,  see  Bois  d'Haumont 

Haut  de  la  Cote  de  I'Oie,  81 

Haute  Voye,  Bois  de  la,  393,  397 

Hautes  Epines  Woods,  see  Bois  des 
Hautes     Epines 

Havange,  430 

Herbebois,  1',  102 

Herbeuville,  213,  406,  421 

Herbeuville-St.  Hilaire  road,  4I4 

Hesperingen,  264,  430,  431 

Hesse,  Foret  de,  244 

Hill,  Brigadier  General  Henry  R.  (65th 
Brigade),  4;  arrives  at  Brest,  34,  317; 
embarks  with  advance  party,  32;  head- 
quarters established,  307;  relieved  of 
command  of  65th  Brigade,  324;  trans- 
ferred from  2nd  Brigade,  Illinois 
National  Guard,  305 

Hill,  Corporal  Ralyn  (129th  Infantry), 
decorated,  284,  288 

Hills: 

227:  pp.  73,  205,332,419; 
233:  pp.  185,  208,390,404; 
262:  pp.  153; 
272:  pp.  64; 
277:  pp.  64; 
280:  pp.  339,  340; 

281:  pp.  64,    85,    86,  no,  141,   149, 
^S3y  159, 339, 341, 349, 356,  363, 366; 


294:  pp.  338; 

304:  pp.  56,  82,  329; 

308:  pp.  64; 

310:  pp.  82; 

329:  pp.  108,  131; 

338:  pp.  in; 

35I--  PP-  115; 

370:  pp.  156; 

371:  pp.  360;  line  at,  126,  127; 

372;  pp.  385; 

382:  pp.  127; 

Hill,  see  also  Cote 

Hindenburg  line,  210,  216,  225,  255 

Hines,  Major  General  John  L.  (4th  Divi- 
sion), 61 

Historical  Section,  General  Headquar- 
ters, collection  of  documents,  284 

History  of  the  World  IVar,  Simonds, 
Frank  H.,  383 

Hobby,  Governor  W.  P.,  visits  33rd  Divi- 
sion, 8 

Hoboken  (N.  J.),  450;  embarkation  port, 
28,317 

Hobscheid,  Corporal  Paul  F.  (131st  In- 
fantry), decorated,  439 

Hobscheid,  440 

Hoche  Brook,  71 

HoUerich  area,  263 

Holmes,  Private  Albert  P.  (131st  Infan- 
try), decorated,  439 

Hooker,  Major  Henry  S.,  made  Assistant 
Division  Adjutant,  315 

Hopital,  Trancheedel',  n9, 136, 14I,  I49 

Horstert,  432,  433 

Houppy,  Bois  1',  156 

Houston  (Tex.),  i,  8,  308,  314 

Houston  Chronicle,  310 

Houston  Daily  Post,  313,  314 

Howell,  Colonel  (65th  Regiment,  Colo- 
nial Army  Corps,  French),  244 

Huidekoper,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Freder- 
ic L.(Adjutant  General,  33rd  Division), 
31,  314;  liaison  officer  to  i8th  French 
Division,  344;  made  Division  Adjutant, 
305;  temporary  duty  at  General  Head- 
quarters, 444 

"Hundred  Days,  The,"  British  Somme 
Offensive,  323 

Hunter,  Lieutenant  (liaison  officer,  58th 
F.  A.  Brigade),  248 

Huntley,  Lieutenant  Colonel  H.  W.,  313 

Huppy,  division  headquarters,  35 

Hutchinson,  Dewey  E.,  314 

Hvoslef,  Major  Ragnald  (military  at- 
tache, Norway),  visits  33rd  Division, 
25 


468 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


"Illinois  Line",  319 

Illinois  National  Guard,  elements  in,  307; 
1st  and  2nd  Regiments  transferred  to 
66th  Brigade,  307;  3rd  and  4th  Regi- 
ments to  65th  Brigade,  307;  nucleus  of 
33rd  Division,  1,2,3,  4>  4^ 

Illinois  Signal  Corps,  Company  A, 
arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  306 

Infantry  Candidates  School,  see  Schools 

Infantry  Specialists'  School,  see  Schools 

Ingeldorf,  434 

Insurance  drive,  17 

Inter-Allied  Rifle  and  Pistol  Match,  Le 
Mans,  448 

Irwin,  Brigadier  General  George  LeRoy 
(57th  Brigade),  commander  of  89th 
Division  artillery,  251 

Irwin,  Captain  Burr  P.  (124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion),  365 

Issoncourt,  56,  426 

I  tzig,  431,432 

Jackson,  Camp  (Columbia,  S.C.),  313 

Jarny,  405,  428,  429 

Joffre,   Marshal  Joseph  Jacques   C,   at 

Metz,  263  _ 
Johannes,    Lieutenant    Henry    C.    (2nd 

Illinois  Ambulance  Company),  306 
Johns,  Lieutenant  Latimer  (122nd  Field 

Artillery),  248 
Johnston,  John  S.   (Adjutant  General), 

312 
Jonville,   196,    197,   212,   223,  405,  409; 

attack  upon,  218;  patrols,  188,  205,  393 
Jonville-Harville  road,  214,  420 
Jonville-Woel  road,  397,  415 
Jub^court,    rest    stage    for    I22nd    Field 

Artillery,  249 
Julien,  Lieutenant  (Staff,  General  Alex- 
andre), 245 
Junglinster,  434 
Jure,  Tranchee  du  Bois,  62,  63 
Jure,  see  Bois  Jure 

Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria,  transport,  448 
Kashmir,  transport,  231;,  317 
Kastler,  Lieutenant  Colonel  R.,  198,  202, 
226,  423,  424 

Kayl,  430>43i  .  .... 

Keene,  Major  Robin  C.  (acting  division 

adjutant),  447 
Kelley,  Lieutenant  W.  Morton  (assistant 

ordnance  officer,  33rd  Division),  305 
Kenna,  Sergeant    (Headquarters  Troop, 

66th  Brigade),  first  casualty,  35 
Kennedy,  artillery  grouping,  238,  239 
Kepner,   Lieutenant    Raymond    B.    (4th 

Illinois  Ambulance  Company),  306 


Keppel-Bethel,    Major     General    Hugh, 

review  of  33rd  Division,  288 
Kilbreth,  Brigadier  General  John  William 

(55th  F.  A.  Brigade),  187 
King,  Brigadier  General  Edward  L.  (65th 

Brigade),  81,  157,  207,  212,  228,  4I4; 

assigned  to  command  of  65;th  Brigade, 

324;  assumes  command  of  sector  west 

of  Meuse,  148;  decorated,  291,  447,  448; 

review,  293;  visits  General  Bell,  274 
Koerper,  Corporal  Frank  P.  (131st  Infan- 
try), 332 

Koeur-la-Grande,  242 
Koeur-la-Petite,  242 
Kopsal,  437 

Kostak,  Private  Frank  J.   (131st  Infan- 
try), decorated,  439 
Koutahia,  Tranchee  de,  134,  I40 
Kraft,  Captain  Charles  J.  (io8th  Trench 

Mortar  Battery),  243,  317,  422 
Kriemhild   Stellung,   6^,    243,    248,   249, 

366;  account  ot,  67;  fall,  247 
Krigbaum,  Captain  William  Lutz  (124th 

Machine     Gun     Battalion),     bravery, 

Bois  de  Chaume,  353 
Kronprinz  Friedrich  Wilhelm,  transport, 

448       . 
Kubik,  Lieutenant  Charles  S.  (3rd  Illinois 

Ambulance  Company),  306 
Kuhn,  Major  General  Joseph  E.   (79th 

Division),  62 

La  Bergerie  Ferme,  250 
La   Bertaucourt    Ferme,    205,    212,    215, 
389,  408,  417;  flank  to  Harville  attack. 

La  Beuville,  184,  206;  prisoners  and  ma- 
teriel, 184-188 

La  Borne  de  Cornouille,  128 

Labry,  428,  429 

La  Capelle-Fourmies  road,  200 

La  Claire,  82,  96,  159,  162 

La  Clairiere  de  la  Ferme  Molleville,  I40 

La  Croix-sur-Meuse,  427 

La  Dhuy  Ferme,  249,  250,  251,  253 

La  Falouse,  163 

La  Fere-en-Tardennois,  197 

La  (Ferme  des  Hauts)  Journaux,  4I9 

La  Fourche,  260 

La  Grande  Montagne,  attack  on,  I46, 
148,  1 1:5-156,  367,  372.  See  also  Bois 
de  la  Grande  Montagne 

La  Grande  Tranchee  de  Calonne,  177,  386 

La  Haie  Marechal,  393 

Lahti,  Emil,  314 

La  Hutte,  division  headquarters,  58,  95, 
loi,  117, 127,  139,  150,  155,  160,  212 

Laiterie  de  Belhame,  63,  74,  84,"  125,  167 


INDEX 


469 


La  Madeleine  farm,  327 

Lancefontaine,  211 

Laneuville,  255 

Laneuville  -  Beaumont  road,  protects 
Meuse  crossing,  254 

Lang,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Edward  J. 
fi30th  Infantry),  314,  316,  317 

Langres,  Army  Candidates'  School,  329; 
Army  Engineers'  School,  319,  325; 
Army  General  Staff  College,  318,  329, 
337;  Army  Line  School,  329;  Army 
Signal  Candidates'  School,  329;  Infan- 
try Candidates'  School,  325;  Infantry 
Specialists'  School,  319,  325 

La  Noire  Haye  Wood,  212 

Laon, 60 

Larochette,  267,  275,  434,  440 

Larson,  Corporal  Walter  N.  (131st  In- 
fantry), decorated,  439 

Last  Four  Months,  The:  How  the  War  was 
Won,  by  Major  General  Sir  Frederick 
Maurice,  323 

Latour-en-Woevre,  405 

La  Tuilerie,  250 

Laundry  Company,  No.  503,  attached 
to  Third  Army,  U.  S.,  445 

La  Vachere  Bois,  see  Bois  la  Vachere 

La  Vaux  de  la  Mille  Mais,  143 

Lavigneville,  station  of  79th  Division 
unit,  174 

La  Wavrille,  108,  115,  127,  151 

Lea,  Colonel  Luke  (114th  F.  A.  Brigade), 
179;  commands  divisional  artillery  at 
Marcheville,  208,  396,  403;  units  under 
command  of,  Troyon  sector,  387 

Leahy,  Private  DavidT.  (131st  Infantry), 
decorated,  439 

Le  Calvaire,  260 

Le  Chanois  West,  380 

Le  Chene  Gossin,  384 

Le  Joli  Bois,  battery  station,  236 

Le  Mans,  Inter-Allied  Rifle  and  Pistol 
Match  at,  448 

Lemmes,  328 

Le  Mont,  238 

Lempire,  163,  329 

Lenape,  transport,  317 

Lenime  Trench,  taken  by  131st  Infantry, 

7° 
Leon  Springs  (Tex.),  313 

Leopold,  Crown   Prince  of  Belgium,  re- 
views 33rd  Division,  288 
Le  Petit  Monthairon,  164,  380,  384 
Les  Eparges,_237,  240 
Les    Monthairons-Genicourt    area,    164, 

174,384. 
Les  Tamaris,  380 
Leudelange  area,  427 

(k) 


Leviathan,  transport,  317,  448;  submarine 

attack,  2^ 
Liberty  loans,  27,  308 
Lieberman,  Corporal  Nathan  (131st  In- 
fantry), decorated,  439 
Liggett,    Major    General     Hunter     (1st 

Corps,  U.S.),  61 
Liljeberg,  Private  Ragnar  (131st  Infan- 
try), decorated,  439 
Lille,  394 
Linnenkahl,    Corporal    (124th    Machine 

Gun  Battalion),  332 
Lintgen,  billets,  272,  438 
Liny-devant-Dun,  93,  95 
Lipschutz,    Lieutenant    George    U.    (ist 

Illinois  Ambulance  Company),  306 
Liverpool  (England),  235,  317 
Lloyd-George,      the      Right     Honorable 

David,  reviews  the  129th  Infantry,  43 
Lloyd,  Captain,  reports  condition  of  33rd 

Division,  317 
Loison  (Centre  of  Resistance),  63 
Loman,  Private  Berger  (132nd  Infantry), 

decorated,  274 
London  Regiment,  324 
Long  area,  36, 319 
Longbut,  163,  328 
Longeau  Ferme,  176,  386,  390,  395,  396, 

421 
Longeau  River,  187 
Longueau,  entraining  station,  54 
Longuyon,  430;  mine  region,  61 
Longwy,  285,  430 
Loosley,   Major   Milan   A.    (io8th   Field 

Signal  Battalion),  294 
Lorentzweiler,  437 
Lorraine  (Centre  of  Resistance),  63 
Lorraine,  occupation  of,  263 
Lowden,    Governor    Frank    O.,    reviews 

troops,  451;  visits  33rd  Division,  8,  32; 

welcomes  the  33rd  Division,  292 
Lucas,    Captain    John    P.    (io8th    Field 

Signal  Battalion),  317;  Aide-de-Camp, 

305;  manager  Infantry  School  of  Arms, 

12;  reviews  troops,  3ri 
Ludendorff,  General  Erich  von,  322,  324 
Luxembourg,  Grand  Duchy  of,  267,  427, 

446;  attitude  toward  Americans,  270,. 

271,   273;   Duchess   at   Diekirch,   280; 

motor  show  at,  287;  occupied  by  33rd 

Division,  262-291;  unrest  in,  434-435 
Luxembourg-Belgian  boundary,  440,  441 


McAndrew,  Major  General  James  W'il- 

liam,  193 
McCarthy,  Lieutenant  John  W.   (122nd 

Field  Artillery),  237 


470 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


McCarty,   Sergeant   Michael   P.    (124th 

Machine  Gun  Battalion),  416 
McCormick,  Captain  Christie  F.  (132nd 

Infantry),  116,  352 
McCormick,  Representative  Medill,visits 

33rd  Division,  21 
McCoy,  Brigadier  General  Frank  (63rd 

Brigade),  248 
McGuire,    Sergeant    Sidney    C.     (131st 

Infantry),  decorated,  439 
McKinley,  Major  James  J.  (4th  Illinois 

Field  Hospital),  306 
McNab,  Colonel,  443 
McNair,  Major  General  WiUiam  Sharp, 

McNeal,  Captain  Alvin  H.  (Company  A, 
Illinois  Signal  Corps),  arrives  at  Camp 
Logan,  306 

Machine  Gun  Companies,  assignment  of, 

333. 
Machine  Gun  School,  see  Schools 
Machine     Glin     Training     School,     see 

Schools 
Maclagan,  General,  320,  321 
Magabe,  Tranchee  de,  147 
Magenta  Ferme,  121,  123,  132,  142,  360, 

367 

Magner,  Captain  Walter  H.  (131st  Infan- 
try), 215,  407,  409;  attack  on  Bois 
d'Harville,  213,  411 

Maizeray,  201,  212,  392 

Malancourt,  64,  65,  100 

Malancourt,  Bois  de,  64 

Malard  Wood,  44,  46,  47 

Malaumont,  Bois  de,  125 

Matbrouck,  87,  loi,  107,  iii,  345 

Mallon,  Captain  George  H.  (132nd  Infan- 
try), decorated,  284 

Malstrom,  Captain  George  N.  (131st 
Infantry),  216 

Mance,  Corporal  Stephen  M.  (131st  In- 
fantry), decorated,  439 

Mancieulles,  429,  430 

Mancieulles-Norroy,  263 

Mangin,  General  (Fourth  Armv,  French), 
61 

Manheulles,  Bois  de,  212 

Manternach,  265,  432,  433,  434 

Marcheville,  197,  202,  207,  208,  216,  392, 
395»  396,  402,  403.  413;  attacked,  192, 
204,  208-209,  214,  216,  219,  222,  267; 
captured,  208,  221,  223,  4O4,  405,  415, 
418;  importance,  209;  occupation  of, 
415;  patrol  near,  187;  prisoners  and 
materiel,  404;  raid  on,  192,  399,  402, 
403,  404;  shelled,  200,  418 

Marengo,  395,  399 


Marou,  Private  Charles  R.  (ro8th  Field 
Signal  Battalion),  346 

Mars  la  Tour,  405 

Martainneville  area,  36 

Masoner,  Captain  William  J.  (132nd 
Infantry),  116,  352 

Massachusetts  subsector,  176,  183,  386; 
command  taken  over  by  33rd  Division, 
178;  158th  Brigade  (79th  Division) 
relieved  by  66th  Brigade,  174 

Materiel  captured,  see  Germans 

Maulamont,  Bois  de,  100 

Mauretania,  transport,  235,  317 

Maurice,  Major  General  Sir  Frederick, 

3^3. 

Maurice  (Centre  of  Resistance),  394 

Mecrin,  242 

Medals  of  Honor,  see  Decorations 

Medernach,  269,  433,  434,  437,  438 

Medical  Corps,  I44 

Melita,  transport,  235,  317 

Melville,  Captain  James  D.  (131st  Infan- 
try), 129 

Menil-la-Tour,  276,  441 

Menil-sur-Saulx,  325 

Merritt,  Camp  (N.  J.),  29,  31,  2,3^  316, 

449 
Mersch,  267,  438,  441 
Mesnil-la-Tour,  178 
Metourneur  (Chief  of  Staff,  17th  Army 

Corps,  French),  151 
Metz,  192;  formal  occupation  of  Alsace 

and     Lorraine,     263;     occupation     by 

French,  426,  429 
Metz-Mezieres  railroad,  242,  243,  254 
Meurthe-et-Moselle,  441 
Meuse    operations,    astride    the   Meuse, 

104-172,   345-383;    beginning    of    the 

Meuse-Argonne     battle,   56-83,     327- 

334;  on  the  west  bank,  84-103,  335- 

344;  Troyon-sur-Meuse  sector,  172-234 
Meuse,  Bois  de,  426 
Meuse  Canal,  345 
Meuse,  Cotes  de,  180 
Meuse  River,  bridged  by  io8th  Engineers, 

100,  103,  105,  299,  345 
Meysembourg,  438 
Mezieres,   60.     See   also    Metz-Mezieres 

railroad 
Michaelis,    Private    Charles    W.    (r3ist 

Infantry),  decorated,  439 
Military  Police,  283,  316,  317,  325,  337, 

442,  443.     See  also  Train  Headquarters 

and  Military  Police 
Millar,  Brigadier  General  Edward  A.  (6th 

F.  A.  Brigade),  250,  252;  temporarily 

succeeds  General  Todd,  251 


INDEX 


471 


Miller,  Lieutenant  Alexander  G.  (131st 
Infantry),  attack  on  Bois  d'Harviile, 
411-412 

Mills,  Corporal  Frank  L.  (131st  Infan- 
try), decorated,  439 

Mobile  Veterinary  Section  no,  attached 
to  Third  Army,  U.  S.,  445;  rejoins  33rd 
Division,  286 

Model  Companies,  formed,  14;  list  of,  3 1 1 

Moirey,  Bois  de,  118,  126,  131,  134 

Molleville,  Bois  de,  115,  126 

Molleville  clearing,  capture  of,  by  29th 
Division,  154 

Molleville  Ferme,  I40,  I46,  154,  34^,  351, 
352;  relief  of  i8th  French  Division 
near,  146,  154;  taken,  152.  See  also 
Ravin  de  Molleville 

Molliens-au-Bois,  36 

Monash,  Lieutenant  General  Sir  John 
(Australian  Corps),  37,  53,  323,  450; 
determination  to  use  American  troops, 
319;  letter  to  General  Bell,  commend- 
ing American  troops,  43;  opinion  of 
troops  of  33rd  Division,  324 

Money,  Bois  de,  67 

Mondorf,  431,  432 

Mons,  323 

Mont  Sec,  239,  240 

Montagne,  Bois  de  la,  396 

Montblainville,  Volker  Stellung,  66 

Montelle,  Bois  de,  214 

Monttaucon,  enemv  positions,  64,  6^,  66, 
68   _ 

Montfaucon,  Bois  de,  65,  66 

Montgomery,  Chief  of  Staff  under  Raw- 
linson,  321 

Monthairons,  see  Les  Monthairons 

Montmedy,  438 

Montzeville,  328 

Moore,  Lieutenant  (iisth  Infantry),  361 

Moreau,  Vice  Admiral,  confers  Legion  of 
Honor,  291 

Moriarty,  Colonel  Daniel  (7th  Illinois 
Infantry),  306 

Moriaux,  Bois  des,  349,  356,  360 

Morine,  Bois  de  la,  248 

Morlancourt-C,hipilly  road,  46 

Morlancourt-Etinehem  road,  48 

Morrison,  James  S.,  314 

Morrison,  Major  General  John  F.  (direc- 
tor of  training),  visits  33rd  Division,  17 

Mort  Homme,  56,  82,  85,  329,  331,  335 

Morton,  Major  General  Charles  G.  (57th 
Brigade,  29th  Division),  102 

Moseley,  Brigadier  General  George 
(General  Staff,  A.  E.  F.),  270,  437; 

Moselle  River,  211,  264 

Mostroff,  434 


Motor  Transport  School,  see  Schools 
Mouilly,  174,  386,  421;  headquarters  of 

65th  Brigade,  212,  420,  423,  426 
Moulin  de  Raffecourt,  62,  77,  89,  91,  96, 

33\ 
Moulin  de  Saulx,  Tranchee  du,  187,  190, 

194,  198,  390,  394,  395 
Moulotte,  Bois  de,  187 
Mount  Vernon,  transport,  317,  448 
Moutru  Brook,  203,  394 
Moyemont,  Ravin  de,  142,  154 
Murville,  430 
Myatt,  Lieutenant  Charles  B.  (Company 

B,  6th  Illinois  Infantry),  306 

Myer,  Colonel  Edgar  A.  (129th  Infantry), 

I       6t„  294,  355,  406,  413;  commands  129th 

I       Infantry,     325;     commands     brigade 

i       reserve,    119;  commands   Dannevoux— 

Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont  sector,  348; 

lecture  on  treatment  of  enemy,  394 
Myhrman,  Robert  C.  (122nd  Field  Artil- 
lery), 237 

Nancy,  60,  259 

Naylor,  Brigadier  General  W.  K.  (Chief 
of  Staff),  II,  231,  305,  384;  Chief  of 
Staff,  IXth  Corps,  U.  S.,  260;  reviews 
Model  Companies,  311 

Neideranven,  431,  432 

Neuville,  345 

Newport  News,  308 

Nicey,  242 

Niederfeulen,  437,  438 

Nineteenth  Corps,  British,  33rd  Division 
with,  36,  450 

Ninetieth  Division,  assigned  to  IVth 
Corps,  U.  S.,  329 

Ninetieth  Infantry  Brigade,  British,  319 

Ninety-first  Division,  U.S.,  243;  assigned 
to  Vth  Corps,  U.  S.,  329;  supported  by 
79th  Division,  Aire  Valley,  243;  sup- 
ported by  58th  F.  A.  Brigade,  243,  299, 
451 

Ninety-second  Division,  U.  S.,  assigned 
to  1st  Corps,  U.  S.,  329 

Ninth  Battalion  (London  Regiment),  324 

Ninth  Corps,  U.  S.,  33rd  Division  with, 
450 

Nixeville,  Camp  de,  328 

Nixeville  Woods,  see  Bois  de  Nixeville 

No  Man's  Land,  87,  257,  346,  388,  389 

Nonsard,  241,  242 

Norroy,  429,  430 

Norroy-MancieuUes,  263 

Notamel  Wood,  38 


472 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Oakes,  Major  Car!  C,  Division  Ordnance 
Officer,  at  Army  General  Staff  College 
(Langres),  337 
Oberbillig,  432 

Officers'  Training  Camp,  see  Schools 
Ognons,  Bois  de,  92 
Oie,  Cote  de  1',  62,  98,  iii,  350 
Oil  wells  of  Texas,  guarded  by  troops  of 
33rd  Division,  10;  guards  released,  310 
One  Hundred  Eighth  Ammunition  Train, 
U.  S.,  249;  billeted  at  Tuntingen,  438; 
ordered    to    Diekirch    area,    436,  438; 
sails  from  Hoboken,  317;  units,  307 
One  Hundred  Eighth  Engineers,  U.  S.,  63, 
163,  307,  310,  319;  assignment  of  Com- 
panies A,   C,    130th    Infantry   to,   81; 
attached  to   132nd  Infantry,  ;^;};i;  at: 
Dugny,    165,    384;    Gery,  325;    Point 
238.637,  Verdun  "B",  329; 

award  in  Diekirch  horse  show,  443; 
begin  work  on  "Army  Line,"  Bois  de 
Querrieu,  36;  bridges:  Brabant,  100, 
103,  105,  299;  Forges,  68;  Meuse  River, 
100,  103,  105,  299,  345;  repaired,  345; 
decorated,  289;  entrained  for  Camp 
Merritt,  29;  first  increment  to  reach 
France,  34;  headquarters,  Tilly-sur- 
Meuse,  386;  intrenchment,  Bois  de 
Querrieu,  36;  movement  to:  Altzingen, 
431;  Avillers,  428;  Briey,  429;  Droitau- 
mont,  428;  Havange,  430;  Kayl,  430; 
Medernach,  269,  433;  Murville,  430; 
Remich,  286;  Rupt-en-Woevre,  174; 
Senningen,  432;  Troyon-Chaillon  sec- 
tor, 386;  prepares  advance:  F'orges 
Brook,  68-69;  nsar  Brabant,  87; 

ready  for  overseas  service,  28;  relief 
of,  citadel  of  Verdun,  162;  relieves  79th 
Division,  177;  roads,  Cumieres-Raffe- 
court,  88,  89;  sails  from  Hoboken,  317; 
summary  of  work,  299;  supported  by 
122nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  89; 
two  companies  under  Colonel  Abel 
Davis,  34.6;  work  at:  Cote  de  Talou, 
329;  Cumieres,  329; 

work  on  subsectors,  Hill  304,  Mort 
Homme,  329; 

1st  Battalion,  headquarters,  east  of 
La  Grande  Tranchee  de  Caloine,  386; 
less  Company  C,  movement,  328; 

2nd  Battalion,  headquarters,  east  of 
La  Grande  Tranchee  de  Calonne,  386; 
Company  C,  movement  of,  328; 
Company  D,  movement  to  Haudain- 
ville,  163; 

Company  E,  movement  to  Haudain- 
ville,  163; 

Company  F,  movement  of,  328 


One  Hundred  Eighth  Engineer  Train, 
U.  S.,  arrives  at  Brest,  34;  estimates  of, 
300;  movement  to  Souhesmes  -  la  - 
Grande,  328;  ready  for  overseas  service, 
28;  relief  of  engineer  train  of  the  79th 
Division  in  the  Grande  Tranchee  de 
Calonne,  177;  review,  Chicago,  294; 
sails,  32,  317 
One  Hundred  Eighth  Field  Signal  Bat* 
talion,  U.S.,  299-300;  at:  Ancemont, 
163,  384;  Fromereville,  329;  Tronville, 
325;  Troyon,  423; 

decorated,  289;  lays  cable  across 
Meuse,  69,  105;  movement  to:  Aumetz, 
430;  Avillers,  428;  Diekirch,  268,  433; 
Esch,  430;  Heffingen,  267,433;  Horstert, 
432;  Itzig,  431;  Labry,  428; 

rejoins  33rd  Division  at  Eu,  318,  319; 
relieves  79th  Division,  Lavigneville, 
174,  177;  review,  Chicago,  294;  sails 
from  Hoboken,  317 
One  Hundred  Eighth  Mobile  Ordnance 
Repair  Shop,  U.  S.,  review,  Chicago, 
293;  sails  from  Hoboken,  317 
One  Hundred  Eighth  Sanitary  Train, 
U.  S.,  at:  Diekirch,  268,  269;  Faubourg 
Pave,  384;  Grevenmacher,  432,  433; 
Menil-sur-Saulx,  325;  Thierville,  329; 
Troyon,  423;  movement  to:  Aumetz, 
430;  Conflans,  428;  Diekirch,  433; 
Faubourg  Pave,  165;  Grevenmacher, 
432;  Sandweiler,  431;  Schifflingen,  430; 
Thierville,  328;Troyon-sur-Meuse,  177; 
rejoins  33rd  Division,  319;  review, 
Chicago,  294;  sails  from  Hoboken,  317; 
summary  of  work,  300 
One  Hundred  Eighth  Supply  Train,  U.  S., 
arrives  at  Brest,  34;  movement  to 
Thierville,  328;  rejoins  33rd  Division, 
British  front,  55;  review,  Chicago,  294; 
sails  from  Hoboken,  317;  summary  of 
work,  300;  units  composing,  307 
One  Hundred  Eighth  Train  Headquar- 
ters and  Military  Police,  U.S.,  arrives 
at  Brest,  34;  at:  Ancemont,  165,  386; 
Diekirch,  268;  Lempire,  329;    Troyon, 

423; 

headquarters,  Conflans,  429;  move- 
ment to:  Avillers,  428;  Berchem,  430; 
Beuvillers,  430;  Conflans,  428;  Die- 
kirch, 433;  Hesperingen,  264,  431; 
Mondorf,  431; 

review,  Chicago,  294;  summary  of 
work,  300;  units  composing,  307 
One  Hundred  Eighth  Trench  Mortar 
Battery,  U.S.,  243;  Machine  Gun  Com- 
pany, 6th  Illinois  Infantry  transformed 
into,  308;  movement  to:  Angers,  441; 


INDEX 


473 


Camp  Merritt,  451;  Vraincourt,  249; 

sails  from:  Brest,  450;  Hoboken,  317 

One  Hundred  Eighty-fifth  Brigade,  U.S., 

308 
One  Hundred  Eighty-first  Brigade,  U.S., 
supported   by   Foreman   artillery  sub- 
grouping,  244;  takes  Gesnes,  247 
One    Hundred     Eighty-second    Brigade, 
U.S.,  supported   by  Hackett   artillery 
subgrouping,  Foret  de  Hesse,  244 
One   Hundred   Fifteenth    Field  Artillery, 
U.S.,    180;   support   of  65th    Brigade, 
Bois  d'Harville,  218; 

Battery  A,  operations  on:  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396;  Marcheville,  403;  St. 
Hilaire,  398; 

Battery  B,  operations  on:  Marche- 
ville, 403;  St.  Hilaire,  398; 

Battery  C,  operations  on:  Marche- 
ville, 403;  St.  Hilaire,  398; 

Battery   D,  operations   on:   Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396; 

Battery  E,  operations  on:  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396;  Marcheville,  403;  St. 
Hilaire,  398; 

Battery  F,  operations  on:  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396 
One  Hundred   Fifteenth   Division,   Ger- 
man, 64 
One  Hundred   Fifteenth  Infantry   (58th 
Brigade),    136,     141,     143,      148;      at 
Cote  des  Roches,  345;  position  on  west 
bank  of  Meuse,  345 
One  Hundred  Fifteenth  Reserve  Infantry 

Regiment,  German,  80 
One  Hundred  Fifth  Ammunition  Train, 
U.S.,  ordered  to  Woinville  area,  436, 
437 
One  Hundred  Fifth  Field  Artillery,  U.S., 
94.  33°y  333-^  at:  Bois  la  Ville,  384; 
Casernes  Bevaux,  161,  162; 

movement  to  Bois  des  Sartelles,  57; 
occupies  Bois  des  Sartelles,  57;  Bois 
la  Ville,  162;  relieved  near  Bois  Jure, 
164;  shells:  Sivry-sur-Meuse,  377; 
Vilosnes  Ravine,  377; 

1st  Battalion,  at  Bois  de  la  Cote 
Lemont,  96;  movement  to:  Bois  de  la 
Cote  Lemont,  92;  Bois  Sachet,  91; 
Tranchee  de  la  Roue,  87; 

2nd  Battalion,  in,  343,  346,  367; 
at  Cote  de  I'Oie,  100,  350;  movement 
to  Bois  Jure,  132;  shelled:  Sivry-sur- 
Meuse,  135;  Villeneuve  Ferme,  367 
One  Hundred  Fifty-eighth  Brigade  (79th 
Division),  relieved  by:  66th  Bri- 
gade in  Massachusetts  subsector,  174, 
386,  387;  29th  Division,  142 


One    Hundred     Fifty-seventh     Brigade, 
(79th     Division),    relieved     by     65th 
Brigade  in  subsector  Connecticut,  173 
One     Hundred     Fifty-seventh    Division, 

French,  327 
One  Hundred  F"ourteenth  Field  Artillerv, 
U.S.,  179,  218; 

Battery  A,  operations  on:  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396;  Marcheville,  403; 

Battery  B,  operations  on  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396; 

Battery  C,  operations  on  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396;  Marcheville,  403; 

Battery  E,  operations  on:  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396;  Marcheville,  403; 

Battery  F,  operations  on:  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396;  Marcheville,  403 
One    Hundred    Fourth    Field    Artillery, 
U.S.,  at  Bois  de  Cinq  Freres,  378,  380, 
384;  silences  German  batteries,  91; 

1st  Battalion,  at:  Bois  de  Forges, 
100,  350;  Consenvoye,  137,  142,  158, 
365;  movement  to:  Bois  de  Forges,  85; 
Consenvoye,  360;  Tranchee  de  Hera- 
clee,  128; 

rejoins  regiment,     162;     supports 

65th  Brigade,  Meuse  operations,  88; 

2nd  Battalion,  at:  Bois  de  Forges, 

100;    Bois    Jure,    372;    movement    to: 

Bois  Jure,  367;  Moulin  de  Raffecourt, 

96 

One     Hundred     Ninety-eighth    Brigade, 

British,  319 
One  Hundred  Second  Ammunition  Train, 
U.S.,  at  Faubourg,  384;  movement  to: 
Bois  des  Sartelles,  328;  Cuisy,  92 
One    Hundred    Second    Trench    Mortar 
Battery,  U.S.,  125,  135;  at  Faubourg 
Pave,  384;  harasses  Vilosnes,  377 
One  Hundred  Seventy-fifth  Brigade  (58th 
London  Division),  46,  47;  units  com- 
posing, 324;  3rd  Battalion,  132nd  In- 
fantry attached  to,  324 
One  Hundred  Seventy-fifth  Trench  Mor- 
tar  Battery    (58th  London   Division), 

324  '      " 

One  Hundred  Seventy-fourth  Brigade 
(58th  London  Division),  units  com- 
posing, 324 

One  Hundred  Seventy-fourth  Trench 
Mortar  Battery,  British,  324 

One  Hundred  Seventy-sixth  Trench 
Artillery,  French,  244 

One  Hundred  Sixteenth  Infantry,  U.S., 

345 
One  Hundred  Sixth  Field  Artillerv,  U.S., 
89.  330,  343,  348,  372;  at:  Bois  la  Ville, 
384;    Camp    Chene  Gossin,  380,  384; 


474 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


headquarters:   Bois   la   Ville,   384;   Le 
Chene  Gossin,  384; 

howitzer  regiment,  91;  movement 
to  Bois  la  Ville,  378;  Gercourt-et- 
Drillancourt,  136;  shells:  Sivry-sur- 
Meuse,  360;  Vilosnes  Ravine,  376; 

supports  i8th  French  Division,  90; 

1st  Battalion,  harasses  Bois  de 
Chaume,  no,  348;  movement  to 
Bois  Sachet,  150; 

2nd  Battalion,  343,  346;  at  Chattan- 
court,  ICO 
One    Hundred     Sixty-seventh     Infantry 

(32nd  Division,  German),  350 
One  Hundred  Thirteenth  Field  Artillery, 
U.  S.,   179;  gassed,   191; 

Battery  A,  operations  on:  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396;  Marcheville,  403; 

Battery  B,  operations  on  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396; 

Battery  C,  operations  on:  Chateau 
d'Aulnois,  396;  Marcheville,  403; 

Battery  D,  operations  on:  Marche- 
ville, 403;  St.  Hilaire,  398; 

Battery  E,  operations  on:  Marche- 
ville, 403;  St.  Hilaire,  398; 

Battery  F,  operations  on:  Marche- 
ville, 403;  St.  Hilaire,  398 
One  Hundred  Thirtieth  Infantry,  U.S., 
63,  81,  307,  381;  at:  Bois  d'en  Dela,  87, 
336;  Connecticut  subsector,  385,  387; 
Ranzieres  -  Mouilly,  421;  Rupt-en- 
Woevre,  384;  attack  on:  Marcheville, 
402;  Riaville-Maizeray,  398; 

Bettendorf  exhibition,  271;  casual- 
ties, 192,  300,  390-391;  Colonel  Gar- 
rity  replaces  Colonel  Wood,  26; 
Colonel  Garrity  succeeded  by  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Lang,  314;  delayed  at 
Chattancourt,  82-83;  flanks  129th 
Infantry  opposite  Vilosnes,  1 10;  for- 
merly Fourth  Illinois  Infantry,  307; 
gassed,  90,  207-208;  Headquarters, 
movement  to:  Bettendorf,  434;  Camp 
Upton,  315; 

horse  show  awards  to,  442,  443;  less 
Company  M,  departure  from  Camp 
Upton  to  Hoboken,  316;  movement  to: 
Bois  de  Bethelainville,  328;  Bethin-  i 
court,  85;  Bois  Bourrus,  378;  Camp  j 
Augereau,  328;  Mort  Homme,  82; 
Rupt-en-Woevre,  379,  380;  south  bank 
of  River  Meuse,  349;  operations  at: 
Chateau  d'Aulnois,  394,  395,  396; 
Connecticut  subsector,  388;  patrols 
near:  Butgneville,  190;  Chateau  d'Aul- 
nois, 203-204;  Riaville,  203-204;  Pin- 
theville,  203-204;Tranchee  du  Moulin 


de  Saulx,  190,  198;  Tranchee  de  Teton, 
340; 

position  near  Combres,  207;  recon- 
naissances near  Doncourt,  182;  relief 
designation,  Bois  Bourrus,  162;  reliev- 
ed: by  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry, 
143;  in  Bois  de  Chaume  area,  378;  re- 
lieves: 129th  Infantry  in  Bois  de 
Chaume,  375;  129th  Infantry  in  Bois 
Plat-Chene,  374;  ist  Battalion,  313th 
Infantry,  174,  381;  unit  of  80th  Divi- 
sion, Bois  de  Dannevoux,  86; 

review,  Chicago,  293;  sails  from 
Hoboken,  317;  supports  17th  French 
Corps,  355;  66th  Brigade  reserve, 
Cumieres,  62; 

1st  Battalion,  at  Bois  de  la  Cote 
Lemont,  337;  movement  to:  Betten- 
dorf, 434;  Germonville,  81;  Manter- 
nach,  432;  trenches  south  of  Consen- 
voye,  368; 

relieved  by  132nd  Infantry,  147; 
relieves:  2nd  Battalion,  129th  Infan- 
try, 156;  3rd  Battalion,  130th  Infan- 
try, 338;  3rd  Battalion,  313th  Infan- 
try, 387; 

2nd  Battalion,  advance,  Troyon-sur- 
Meuse  sector,  208;  at  Bussy,  198,  399; 
holds  Dannevoux-Consenvoye  line, 
366;  holds  line  before  Combres,  399; 
in  reserve,  Bois  d'en  Dela  and  Bois  de 
Septsarges,  336;  headquarters  near 
Combres,  399;  movement  to:  Mostroff, 
Reisdorff,  434;  Ruisseau  de  Bamont, 
81-82;  trenches  south  of  Consenvoye, 
152,  368;  Wadonville,  413; 

raid,  Marcheville,  404;  relieved  at 
Fresnes-en-Woevre,  413;  relieved 
by:  129th  Infantry,  213;  2nd 
Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  413; 
3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infantry,  142, 
143,  406,  413;  132nd  Infantry  and 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  147; 
relieves  129th  Infantry,  Bois  de 
Dannevoux,  356;  3rd  Battalion,  130th 
Infantry,  near  Bois  de  Chaume,  375; 
1st  Battalion,  313th  Infantry,  Boisde 
Combres  and  Bois  des  Eparges,  174, 

385; 

takes  over  Bois  de  Dannevoux 
sector,  117;  two  companies  occupy 
Bois  de  Septsarges,  336;  units  de- 
tached, 138; 

3rd  Battalion,  349;  at:  Bois  de  la 
Cote    Lemont,   336;   St.    Hilaire,  4I4; 

attached  to  131st  Infantry,  east 
bank  of  Meuse,  129;  attack  on:  Bois 


INDEX 


475 


de  Chaume,  122,  132,  133,  136,  141; 
Molleville  Ferme,  152; 

brigade  reserve:  Bois  de  Chaume, 
354;  at  Hill  281,  p.  no; 

crossed  Meuse,  11 6-1 17;  head- 
quarters on  Combres  Hill,  402;  high 
rating,  Esch,  444;  holds  Dannevoux 
and  Consenvoye  sectors,  366;  move- 
ment to:  Combres,  207;  Drillan- 
court,  349;  Ermsdorf  and  Eppeldorf, 
434;  Ruisseau  de  Bamont,  81-82; 

patrol,  Saulx  -  en  -  Woevre,  186; 
positions  November  7,  1918,  395; 
relieved  by:  2nd  Battalion,  130th 
Infantry,  Bois  de  Chaume,  156,  157, 
375;  1st  Battalion,  130th  Infantry, 
Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  338; 

relieved  in   the  Dannevoux,  Bois 
de  la  Cote  Lemont  sector,  I43;  re- 
lieves:  2nd  Battalion,  313th  Infan- 
try,    subsector     Connecticut,     385; 
trenches  near  Consenvoye,  375; 
Company  A,  assigned  to  io8th  En- 
gineers, 81;  movement  to  Camp  Up- 
ton, 316;  raid  against  Chateau  d'Aul- 
nois,  191,395; 

Company  B,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316;  movement  to  Fresnes,  413; 
Company  C,  assigned  to  io8th  En- 
gineers, 81;  movement  to  Camp  Upton, 
316;  raid  against  Chateau  d'Aulnois, 
I9i>  395;  relieved  in  Centre  of  Resis- 
tance Providence,  392;  relieves  Com- 
pany D  at  Fresnes,  390,  391; 

Company  D,  assigned  to  io8th  En- 
gineers, 81;  gassed,  391;  movement  to 
Camp  Upton,  316;  occupies  Bois  de 
Ranzieres,  396;  relieved  by  Company 
C,  130th  Infantry,  Fresnes,  391; 
relieves  Company  C,  130th  Infantry, 
392; 

Company  E,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316;  patrol  near  Bussy,  399; 
Company  F,  at  Bussy,  198;  Model 
Company,  311;  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316;  raid  on  Evergreen  Woods, 
399; 

Company  G,  399;  movement  to 
Camp  Upton,  316; 

Company  H,  399;  movement  to 
Camp  Upton,  316; 

Company  1,  movement  to:  Camp 
Upton,  316;  Combres  Hill,  413;  near 
Marengo,  399; 

Company  K,  movement  to:  Camp 
Upton,  316;  Combres  Hill,  413;  near 
Marengo,  399; 


Company  L,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316;  near  Combres  Hill,  399, 

413; 

Company  M,  departure  from  Camp 
Upton  to  Hoboken,  316;  movement  to 
Camp  Upton,  316;  near  Combres  Hill, 
399.  413; 

Headquarters  Company,  movement 
to:  Camp  Upton,  315;  Gilsdorf,  434; 

Machine   Gun    Company,   340;    de- 
parture from  Camp  Logan  for  Camp 
Upton,  316;   movement   to:   Beaufort, 
434;  Consenvoye,  143;  Fresnes,  413; 
relieved  in  the  Dannevoux  sector, 

143;    relieves    123rd    Machine   Gun 

Battalion,  158,  375; 

Sanitary  Detachment,  movement  to 
Camp  Upton,  316; 

Supply    Company,    movement    to: 
Camp  Upton,  316;  Wasserbillig,  432 
One  Hundred  Thirty-fifth  Field  Artillerv, 

U.  S.,  398 
One  Hundred  Thirty-first  Infantry,  U.S., 
297.  339y  33i>  333y.  33^,  381;  assigned  to 
58th  Division,  British,  45,  46;  at:  Bois 
de  Forges,  I48;  Bois  de  Nixeville,  163; 
Bois  de  Querrieu,  37;  Camp  Monthai- 
rons  area,  384;  Deuxnouds,  182,  394, 
395;  Forges  Wood,  370;  Herbeuville 
and  St.  Maurice,  421;  south  edge  of 
Bois  de  Chaume,  352;  attack  on:  Bois 
d'Harville,  408-410;  Butgneville,  412; 
Gressaire  Wood,  46-47; 

awards,  Diekirch  horse  show,  442; 
barrages,  Meuse-Argonne  operations, 
33°>  33};  casualties,  49,  76,  323,  324; 
decorations,  274;  defense  reorganized, 
Bois  de  Chaume,  132;  engagement  at 
Bois  de  Chaume,  349,  359,  364;  former- 
ly 1st  Illinois  Infantry,  307;  harassed, 
89;  headquarters:  Bois  de  la  Grande 
Montagne,  396;  Bois  les  Hautes 
Epines,  415;  Camp  Monthairons,  380; 

inspected  by  General  Wagstaff,  275; 
leaves  Camp  Monthairons,  174; 
National  Guard  designation  changed, 
307;  objective,  Meuse-Argonne,  63; 
occupies  Bois  de  Warville,  213,  217, 
228,  410;  operations:  Bertaucourt 
Ferme,  388,  389,  410;  Bois  d'Harville, 
388,  389,  398;  Bois  de  Warville,  400; 
Forges,  70-78;  Gressaire  Wood,  49; 
St.  Hilaire,  388-389,  398;  patrols:  at 
Bois  de  , Warville,  397,  398,  400;  at 
Bois  des  Epines,  397;  near  Butgneville, 
190,  395,  400;  near  Doncourt-aux- 
Templiers,  192,  195,  395,  400; 


476 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


prisoners  and  materiel,  Drillancourt, 
Bois  Jure,  75,  76;  relief  of  315th  Infan- 
try (79th  Division),  Troyon-sur-Meuse 
campaign,  174;  reserve,  33rd  Division, 
Bois  de  Chatillon,  93;  reviewed,  263, 
293;  sails  from  Hoboken,  317;  support 
battalion  used,  Mort  Homme  sector, 
331;  supported  by:  Company  C,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  330;  3rd  Bat- 
talion, 129th  Infantry,  121,  129; 

takes  Gressaire  Wood,  48-50;  3rd 
Battalion,  130th  Infantry  attached  to, 
1 29;  units  sent  to  Bois  de  Chaume,  356; 
withdrawn  to  Consenvoye,  365; 

1st  Battalion,  at:  C.  R.  Vieville,  396; 
Le  Chanois  West,  380;  Moulin  de  Raffe- 
court,  331;  Warville  and  Epines  Wood, 
408; 

attack    on    Drillancourt,    71,    76; 
flank    attack    by    enemy,    Bois    de 
Chaume,  119;  relieves  2nd  Battalion, 
132nd  Infantry,  C.R.  Vieville,  395; 
reserve  force,  Bois  de  Chaume,  137; 
supported    by    Company    C,    124th 
Machine    Gun    Battalion,    73;    sup- 
ports 132nd  Infantry,  116;  to  cross 
to  Tranchee  de  Heraclee,  354; 
2n4  Battalion,  at:  Avillers,  411;  Bois 
des  Epines,  401,  407;  C.  R.  Hannon- 
ville,  396;  Bois  les  Hautes  Epines, 407; 
Cote  des  Grands-Pres,  75,  79;  Epines 
Wood,     408;     Ferme     Pontoux,     380; 
Moulin  de  RafFecourt,  331; 

attached  to  132nd  Infantry,  99- 
100,  346,  350;  brigade  reserve,  Bois 
de  Chaume,  354;  crosses  Meuse,  108; 
detailed  to  132nd  Infantry,  Cote  des 
Grands-Pres,  343;  prisoners,  Danne- 
voux,  76;  relieved  by  3rd  Battalion, 
129th  Infantry,  south  of  Bois  de 
Chaume,  142-143;  relieved  in  Bois 
Plat-Chene,  367,,  368;  repulsed  at 
Bois  les  Hautes  Epines,  4 10;  to  cross 
to  Tranchee  de  Heraclee,  354; 
3rd  Battalion,  assigned  to  Company 

B,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  351- 
355;   at:   Bois  de  Warville,  407,  410; 

C.  R.  St.  Maurice,  396;  Les  Tamaris 
Camp,  380;  Moulin  de  Raffecourt,  331; 
Warville  VVood,  408; 

attack  on  Bois  d'Harville,  401; 
crosses  Forges  Brook,  73;  movement 
to  east  bank  of  Meuse,  116;  occupies 
new  line  of  defense,  Wuillebaubois, 
132,  133;  ordered  to  Bois  de  Warville, 
407;  relieved  at  Bois  Bourrus,  328; 
relieves:  ist  Battalion,  132nd  Infan- 


try, at  C.R.  St.  Maurice,  394;  Com- 
pany   C,    132nd    Infantry,    Meuse- 

Argonne  campaign,  328; 

reserve  force,  south  of  Consenvoye, 

137;  St.  Hilaire  raid,  200; 

Company  A,  lost,  attack  on  Drillan- 
court, 71;  movement  to  Camp  Upton, 
316;  patrols,  Bois  la  Vachere,  205;  with 
Australians,  battle  of  Hamel,  319; 

Company  B,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316; 

Company  C,  casualties,  323;  move- 
ment to  Camp  Upton,  316;  with  Aus- 
tralians, battle  of  Hamel,  37; 

Company  D,  advance  in  Bois  Jure, 
75;  lost,  attack  on  Drillancourt,  71,  75; 
movement  to  Camp  Upton,  316; 

Company  E,  casualties,  323;  lost 
near  Forges  Brook,  74;  Model  Com- 
pany, 311;  with  x'\ustralians,  battle  of 
Hamel,  37,  319; 

Company  F,  lost  near  Forges  Brook, 

Company  G,  difficulties,  Meuse- 
Argonne  campaign,  75; 

Company  H,  difficulties,  Meuse- 
Argonne  campaign,  75; 

Company  I,  75;  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316; 

Company  K,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316; 

Company  L,  75;  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316; 

Company  ,  M,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316; 

Machine  Gun  Company,  at  Longeau 
Ferme,  191,  396;  attached  to  132nd 
Infantry,  99-100,  346,  350;  movement 
to  Longeau  Ferme,  395; 
One  Hundred  Thirty-second  Ambulance 
Company,  U.S.,  awards,  Diekirch 
horse  show,  442 
One  Hundred  Thirty-second  Artillery 
Regiment,  British,  3rd  Battalion  part 
of  175th  Brigade,  British,  near  Gres- 
saire Wood,  324 
One  Hundred  Thirty-second  Infantry, 
U.S.,  230,  23i->  .3345  assigned  to  15th 
Australian  Battalion,  Hamel  campaign, 
319;  at:  Bois  de  Querrieu,  37;  Doncourt 
aux-Templiers,  217;  Les  Monthairons- 
Genicourt  area,  384; 

attack  on  Bois  de  Forges,  77-81; 
awards,  Diekirch  horse  show,  443; 
casualties,  Bois  de  Forges,  80,  ;i2y, 
change  of  command.  Camp  Logan,  23, 
26;  embarks,  317;  flanked  by  enemy, 


INDEX 


477 


Bois  de  Consenvoye,  119;  headquar- 
ters company,  308;  high  rating,  444; 
in  reserve  trenches,  Hamel  area,  51; 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Davis  made  com- 
mander, 314;  location:  Bois  les  Hautes 
Epines,  Bois  de  Warville,  Doncourt, 
St.  Maurice,  Vieville,  Wadonville  and 
VVoel,  421; 

mission,  to  capture  Bois  de  Forges, 
62;  movement  to  Dannevoux  sector, 
367;  National  Guard  designation 
c^hanged,  307;  occupies  Bois  les  Hautes 
Epines,  217;  operations  south  of  Bois 
de  Chaume,  349;  patrols:  Bois  des 
Hautes  Epines,  388,  389,  393;  Bois  de 
Warville,  186,  388,  389,  391;  Butgne- 
ville,  185,  388,  391;  Doncourt-aux- 
Templiers,  390;  near  Marcheville,  186, 
St.  Hilaire,  388;  Troyon-sur-Meuse, 
182,  185,  186; 

penetrates,  Bois  de  Foret,  362;  pre- 
pares to  cross  Meuse  at  Consenvoye, 
100;  prisoners  and  materiel,  Meuse 
operations,  80,  115,  124-125,  182,  184; 
relieves:  316th  Infantry  (79th  Divi- 
sion), 174,  176;  1st  and  2nd  Battalions, 
130th  Infantry,  147; 

review,  Chicago,  293;  sails  on  Mount 
Fernon,  292;  supported  by:  Company 
C,  124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  153, 
330;  2nd  Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  99- 
100,  343,  346,  350;  3rd  Battalion,  129th 
Infantry,  349;  ist  Battalion,  131st  In- 
fantry, 116;  3rd  Battalion,  131st  Infan- 
try, 349; 

takes  over  Troyon  sector,  386;  with- 
drawn, near  Forges  Wood,  339; 

1st  Ba,ttalion,  112,  129;  at:  Bois  les 
Hautes  Epines,  411;  Consenvoye,  137, 
142; 

attack,  Bois  de  Forges,  76,  77,  80; 
crosses  Meuse,  106,  346;  high  rating, 
Esch,  444;  mission,  Bois  d'Harville 
223;  movement  to:  Bois  de  Forges, 
161;  line  south  of  Bois  de  Chaume, 

rejoms  33rd  Division,  100;  relieved 
by  3rd  Battalion  at  C.R.  Maurice, 
394;  sent  to  Dannevoux  trenches, 
1 43;  supported  by  Company  D, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  23yi 
takes  over  gun  positions  in  Danne- 
voux Wood  sector,  370;  under  Col- 
onel Abel  Davis,  346,  350; 
2nd  Battalion,  129;  advance  near 
Consenvoye,  348;  at:  Consenvoye,  137, 
142;  Moulin  de  RafFecourt,  22 1 ;  attack: 


Bois  de  Chaume,  113;  Bois  de  Forges, 
79;  Forges  Wood,  346; 

brigade  reserve,  Bois  de  Chaume, 
354;  crossed  Meuse,  106,  346;  men 
lost.  Companies  F  and  G,  352;  move- 
ment to:  Bois  de  Forges,  161;  Hau- 
dainville,  164;  Malancourt,  93;  St. 
Maurice,  206; 

rejoins  33rd  Division,  100;  relieved 
at  C.R.  Vieville,  395;  relieved  by  1st 
Battalion,  131st  Infantry,  395;  re- 
lieves: 130th  Infantry  in  Dannevoux 
trenches,  I43;  3rd  Battalion,  132nd 
Infantry,  at  C.R.  Hannonville,  394; 
Company  C,  132nd  Infantry,  Ver- 
dun sector,  328; 

reserves,    near    Consenvoye,    133; 
supported    by    Company    D,    124th 
Machine  Gun   Battalion,    143;  sup- 
port unit,  346,  350; 
3rd    Battalion,    attacks    in    Bois   de 
Malaumont,    125;   penetrates   Bois   de 
Foret,  130;  relieved:  Bois  de  Foret,  138; 
C.R.    Hannonville,    394;    relieved    by: 
2nd    Battalion,    132nd    Infantry,   394; 
relieves:  58th  and  59th  Infantries,  125; 
Company  D,  132nd  Infantry,  Verdun 
sector,  328; 

Company  A,  attached  to  13th  Aus- 
tralian Battalion,  319;  casualties, 
Hamel,  323;  movement  to  Camp  Up- 
ton, 316; 

Company  B,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316; 

Company  C,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  316;  relieved,  328; 

Company    D,    movement    to   Camp 

Upton,    316;    relieved    3rd    Battalion, 

132nd  Infantry,  328;  takes  Forges,  77; 

Company    E,    movement    to    Camp 

Upton,  316; 

Company  F,  men  lost,  352;  move- 
ment to  Camp  Upton,  316;  relieved  in 
Verdun  sector,  328; 

Company  G,  attached  to  15th  Aus- 
tralian Battalion,  319;  casualties, 
Hamel,  323;  men  lost,  352;  Model  Com- 
pany, 311;  movement  to  Camp  Upton, 
316; 

Company  H,  at  St.  Hilaire,  4I1; 
movement  to  Camp  Upton,  316; 

Company  I,  movement  to  Camp  Up- 
ton, 316; 

Company  K,  movement  to:  Camp 
Upton,  316;  Hoboken,  316; 

Company  L,  at  Doncourt,  411; 
movement  to:  Camp  Upton,  316; 
Hoboken,  316; 


478 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Company  M,  at  Doncourt,  411; 

Headquarters  Company,  movement 
to  Camp  Upton,  316; 

Machine  Gun  Company,  233'^  high 
rating,  444;  movement  to:  Bois  de 
Forges,  161;  Camp  Upton,  316;  St. 
Maurice,  206; 

relieved,  Bois  de  Foret,  138;  with 

Australians,  37; 

Medical  Company,  high  rating,  444; 

Supply  Company,  high  rating,  Esch, 
444;  movement  to  Camp  Upton,  316 
One  Hundred  Thirty-sixth  Field  Artillery, 
U.S.,  184;  Battery  E,  operations  on  St. 
Hilaire,  398;  Battery  F,  operations  on 
St.  Hilaire,  398 
One  Hundred  Twenty-fourth  Field  Artil- 
lery, U.S.,  246;  advance  north  of  La 
Dhuy  Ferme,  251;  awards,,  Diekirch 
horse  show,  442,  443;  at  Berschbach, 
438;  change  of  command,  312;  move- 
ment to  Brocourt,  249;  National  Guard 
designation  changed,  5;  rest  stage, 
Brocourt,  249;   review,  Chicago,  294; 

1st  Battalion,  Foreman  grouping, 
244,  254;  takes  over  sector  in  Foret  de 
Hesse,  245; 

2nd  Battalion,  Hackett  artillery  sub- 
grouping,  244;  Rogers  grouping,  254; 
movement  to  Epinonville  area,  246; 

3rd  Battalion,  246 
One  Hundred  Twenty-fourth  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  U.  S.,  96;  aids  4th 
Division,  339;  assigned  to  66th  Bri- 
gade, at  Camp  Logan,  307;  at:  Bois  de 
Nixeville,  376;  Camp  les  Tamaris,  379, 
384,  386;  Consenvoye,  142;  Le  Petit 
Monthairon-Camp  les  Tamaris,  384, 
386; 

awards,  Diekirch  horse  show,  443; 
casualties,  353,  365,  416;  engagement 
at  Bois  de  Chaume,  349;  high  rating, 
Esch,  444;  movement  to:  Bois  de  Nixe- 
ville, 376;  Camp  Upton,  316;  Hoboken, 
316;  Longeau  Ferme,  Troyon  sector, 
386;  occupies:  Bo,is  de  Warville,  4I1; 
Bois  des  Hautes  Epines,  217,  411; 

patrol,  Tranchee  de  Teton,  340;  re- 
lieves 312th  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
176,  386-387;  review,  Chicago,  293; 
sails  for  New  York  on  Mount  Vernon, 
igi\  sails  from  Hoboken,  317;  supports 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  340;  to 
assemble  at  Doncourt,  206;  units  at 
Longeau  Ferme,  390;  units  composing, 

308; 

Company  A,  advance  south  of  Bois 


de  Chaume,  348;  at:  Haudainville,  164, 
379;  Le  Petit  Monthairon,  164;  Long- 
eau Ferme,  421;  Tranchee  de  Teton, 
340;  attack:  Bois  de  Chaume,  351; 
Brieulles-sur-Meuse,  340; 

harass  Tranchee  de  Teton,  340;  in 
reserve  on  Hill  262,  p.  373;  mission, 
Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  93;  move- 
ment to:  Bois  de  Forges,  99,  341,  343; 
Bois  de  Warville,  407;  Le  Petit 
Monthairon,  380; 

occupies  Cote  262,  p.  153;  patrol, 
Tranchee  de  Teton,  340;  relieved, 
Bois  de  Forges,  339;  supports:  131st 
Infantry,  Forges  Wood,  346,  347; 
132nd  Infantry,  Bois  de  Forges,  100, 
106,  346,  347,  350;  2nd  Battalion, 
132nd  Infantry,  2,33'-> 

under  orders,  123rd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion  near  Brieulles,  340; 
Company  B,  at:  Bois  de  Dannevoux, 
340;  Bois  de  Forges,  116-117,  125,  130, 
^33y  34i>  354;  Camp  les  Tamaris,  165; 
Forges,  347;  Longeau  Ferme,  421;  St. 
Maurice,  386; 

attached  to  3rd  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  100;  attack,  Brieulles-sur- 
Meuse,  340;  attack  on  Bois  d'Har- 
ville,  410;  casualties,  365,  390;  en- 
gagement, Bois  de  Chaume,  359; 
fires  on  Sivry,  354;  holds  66th  Bri- 
gade sector,  94;  in  trenches  south  of 
Consenvoye,  371;  in  66th  Brigade 
sector,  106,  109,  no;  movement  to: 
Bar- Forges,  373;  Bois  de  Forges, 
341,  343;  Bois  d'Harville,  407;  Camp 
les  Tamaris,  379;  Bois  les  Hautes 
Epines  and  Bois  de  W^arville,  407; 

reserve,     south     of    Consenvoye, 

373;     to  join   3rd  Battalion,    131st 

Infantry,  near  Consenvoye,  3S4-355; 

Company  C,  at:  Bois  de  Forges,  1 16- 

117,  125,  130,  354;  Doncourt  and  But- 

gneville,    421;    Haudainville,   379;    Le 

Petit  Monthairon,  164; 

attack  on,  Butgneville,  412;  bri- 
gade reserve,  Bois  de  Forges,  359; 
holds  66th  Brigade  sector,  94,  106, 
116-117,  125,  130;  left  on  west  bank 
of  Meuse,  354;  relieves  Company  B, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  near 
Consenvoye,  373;  supports:  131st 
Infantry,  330;  1st  Battalion,  131st 
Infantry,  73;    132nd   Infantry,    153, 

33°'', 

Company  D,  advance  north  of  Con- 
senvoye, 348;  assigned  to  1st  Battalion, 


IXDEX 


479 


132nd  Infantry,  t;33',  at:  Haudainville, 
379;  Le  Petit  Alonthairon,  164;  Vie- 
ville,  421; 

attack  on  Bois  de  Chaume,  350; 
casualties,  353;  command  of  gun 
positions,  Massachusetts  subsector, 
183;  harass:  Brieulles,  343;  Tranchee 
de  Teton,  34 1; 

in  Dannevoux  trenches,  I43;  mis- 
sion, Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  93; 
movement  to  Bois  de  Forges,  99; 
near  Consenvoye,  80,  124;  relieved, 
Bois  de  Forges,  339;  relieves:  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Troyon- 
sur-Meuse,  390;  Machine  Gun  Com- 
pany, 130th  Infantry,  147;  Company 
B,  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
Bois  de  Dannevoux,  150;  supports: 
131st  and  132nd  Infantry,  330;  132nd 
Infantry,  100,  106,  153,  346,  347, 
350;  2nd  Battalion,  132nd  Infantry, 
Consenvoye,  143; 

takes  over  gun  position  in  Danne- 
voux Wood  sector,  370;  under  orders, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  near 
Brieulles,  340 
One  Hundred  Twenty-ninth  Field  Artil- 
lery, U.S.,  award  to,  Esch,  443 
One    Hundred    Twenty-ninth    Infantry, 
U.S.,    91;    at:   Ambiy,    385;   Bois    de 
Chaume,    349;     Bois    Delolime,    378; 
Chateau  d'Aulnois,  4i5;Ranzieres,  174, 
402;      Sommedieue,      384;      subsector 
Fresnes,     Saulx,     Bois     des    Eparges, 
Bois  de  Combres,  420;  Vilosnes,  90; 

attached  to  66th  Brigade,  342; 
attack,  Bois  de  Chaume,  119;  awards, 
Diekirch  horse  show,  442;  billeted  in 
Abris  de  Delolime,  379;  casualties,  96, 
97,  loi,  no,  158,  341,  343,  344,  349, 
361,  363,  365,  368,  371,  372,  374,  375, 
376,  379,  380;  change  of  command, 
325;  detachments  arrive  at  Eu,  319; 
difficulties  near  Magenta  Ferme,  122; 
division  reserve,  Lorraine  subsector, 
63;  flanked  by  130th  Infantry,  opposite 
Vilosnes,  no;  headquarters:  arrival  at 
Eu,  319,  movement  to  Ettelbruck,  434; 
less  the  3rd  Battalion  and  Company 
H,  sails  from  Hoboken,  317;  less  Com- 
pany H,  debarked  at  Brest,  318;  move- 
ment to:  Bois  Delolime  and  Bois  du 
Chana,  378;  Bois  Remy,  406;  east  side 
of  Meuse  River,  355;  Hill  281,  p.  85; 
Ranzieres,  403;  Rascasse  Trench,  82; 
Rupt-en-Woevre,  426;  Sommedieue, 
163,  379;  Troyon  sector,  385; 


National  Guard  designation  changed, 
307;  occupies  Chateau  d'Aulnois,  Ria- 
ville  and  Marcheville,  415;  on  east 
bank  of  Meuse,  359;  position  between 
grids  78  and  80,  p.  375;  reconnaissances, 
Connecticut  subsector,  193,  400;  regi- 
mental headquarters,  at  Ambly,  385; 
relief  area,  Bois  du  Chana,  162;  relieved 
by:  4th  Division,  328;  6th  French 
Colonial  Regiment,  Consenvoye  area, 
378;  130th  Infantry,  375;  2nd  Battal- 
ion, 130th  Infantry,  356;  relieved  in: 
Bois  de  Chaume,  374;  Bois  de  Danne- 
voux, 356;  Bois  Plat-Chene,  374;  Con- 
senvoye area,  378;  relieves:  right  bri- 
gade, 80th  Division,  86,  88;  130th 
Infantry,  213;  314th  Infantry,  79th 
Division,  Connecticut  subsector,  174; 
314th  Infantry,  Fort  de  Troyon  rest 
area,  385,  386; 

reserve  for  33rd  Division,  Meuse 
operations,  93;  review,  Chicago,  294; 
sails  for  France,  32;  sent  to  Camp  Mer- 
ritt,  449;  Supply  Company,  319;  sup- 
ported by:  Company  A,  123rd  Ma- 
chine Gun  Battalion,  Rascasse  Trench, 
82;  Company  B,  123rd  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  82,  no; 

supports  131st  Infantry,  left  bank  of 
Meuse,  116;  takes  over  Dannevoux- 
Consenvoye  line,  3^^;  transport,  406; 
units  moved  to  Fort  de  Troyon,  386; 
units  near  Consenvoye,  361,  363-364, 
37!;,  376;  units  near  Sommedieue,  380; 
units  occupy  trenches  near  Bois  de 
Chaume  and  Bois  Plat-Chene,  371; 

1st  Battalion,  at  Recourt,  385;  bri- 
gade reserve,  Bois  de  Chaume,  254; 
crosses  Meuse,  116;  flank  defense,  near 
Magenta  Ferme,  123;  located  northeast 
of  Consenvoye,  373;  movement  to: 
Ettelbruck,  434;  heights  overlooking 
Herbeuville,  406;  Hill  281,  p.  341; 

occupies  Tranchee  Cabestan,  371; 

reserve     for     29th     Division,     148; 

reserves,  near  Consenvoye,  133,  142; 

2nd    Battalion,    advances,    Bois    de 

Chaume,  148;  at:  Bois  de  Chaume,  365; 

Tilly-sur-Meuse,  385,  400; 

attached  to  79th  Division,  Chat- 
tancourt,  328;  crosses  Meuse,  116; 
line  garrison,  Meridian  24,  p.  136; 
movement  to:  Chattancourt,  328; 
Ettelbruck,  434; 

occupies  new  defense  line,  133,  141; 
relief  in  Bois  Plat-Chene,  155;  re- 
lieved by  1st  Battalion,  130th  Infan- 
try, 156;  relieved  near  Montzeville, 


480 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


328;  takes  over  part  ot  defense  line, 
Meridian  24,  p.  136; 
3rd  Battalion,  at:  Bois  de  Forges, 
355;  Bois  Rond,  338,  343,  349;  Ran- 
7.ieres,  400;  Tranchee  du  Cabestan,  356; 
attached  to:  66th  Brigade,  343;  131st 
Infantry,  north  and  south  Grid  24,  pp. 
128-129; 

concentrated  at  Bois  Rond,  345; 
crosses  Meuse,  no,  1 17;  engagement 
at  Bois  de  Chaume,  31^;^,  354;  in 
trenches  northeast  of  Consenvoye, 
365;  less  Company  K,  withdraws  to 
Bois  Rond  and  Bois  Jure,  338;  move- 
ment to  Bois  de  Forges,  399;  Schier- 
en,  434;  position  of,  in  Tranchee  du 
Cabestan,  358;  rejoined  by  Company 
K,  129th  Infantry,  341;  relieves:  2nd 
Battalion,  130th  Infantry,  Marche- 
ville,  413;  2nd  Battalion,  130th  In- 
fantry, 142,  406; 

reserve  for  29th  Division,  148;  re- 
serves, south  of  Consenvoye,  142; 
supports:  131st  Infantry,  Magenta 
Ferme,  121;  132nd  Infantry,  east 
side  of  Meuse,  349; 

threatened,  Valley  Dans  les  Vaux, 
1 19-120; 

Company  A,  arrival  at  ¥m,  319; 
movement  to  Camp  Upton,  315; 

Company  B,  advances.  Magenta 
Ferme,  122;  movement  to  Camp  Up- 
ton, 315; 

Company  C,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  315; 

Company  D,  arrival  at  Eu,  319; 
movement  to  Camp  Upton,  31?; 

Company  E,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  315; 

Company  F,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  315;  returned  to  Tresauvaux, 
418; 

Company  G,  arrival  at  Eu,  319; 
movement  to  Camp  Upton,  315; 
returned  to  Tresauvaux,  418; 

Company  H,  debarked  at  Brest, 
318;  movement  to  Camp  Upton,  315; 
sails  from  Hoboken,  317; 

Company  I,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  315;  relieves  Company  F, 
132nd  Infantry,  328; 

Company  K,  Model  Company, 
311;  movement  to  Camp  Upton,  315; 
rejoins  3rd  Battalion,  129th  Infan- 
try, west  bank  of  Meuse,  34 1; 

Company  L,  liaison.  Magenta 
Ferme,  122;  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  315; 


Company  M,  movement  to  Camp 
Upton,  315;  movement  to  Hoboken, 
316; 

Headquarters  Company,  308;  at 
Ambly,  385;  moved  to  Ettelbruck, 
434; 

Machine  Gun  Company,  342;  at 
Ambly,  385;  concentrated  at  Bois 
Rond,  344;  movement,  east  bank  of 
Meuse,  344;  movement  to  Schieren, 
434; 

Medical  Detachment,  319; 
Supply  Company,  located  in  Am- 
bly>  3^5;  movement  to  Warken,  434 
One  Hundred  Twenty-second  Field  Ar- 
tillery, U.S.,  246,  249;  awards,  Diekirch 
horse  show,  442,  443;  billeted  at  Bissen, 
438;  Foreman  artillery  subgrouping, 
244;  formerly  2nd  Illinois  Field  Artil- 
lery and  First  Illinois  Cavalry,  5;  high 
rating,  medical  detachment,  Esch,  444; 
movement  to  La  Dhuy  Ferme,  251; 
National  Guard  designation  changed, 
5;  near  Remonville,  253;  review,  Chi- 
cago, 294;  Rivers  artillery  grouping, 
239;  sails  for  New  York,  292;  sails  from 
Hoboken,  317; 

Battery  C,  237; 

Headquarters  Company,  awards, 
Diekirch  horse  show,  443 
One  Hundred  Twenty-second  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  U.S.,  attached  to  Aus- 
tralian Corps,  36-37;  at:  Brest,  34; 
Camp  South  Thillombois,  390,  417, 
423;  Canach,  432,  433,  434;  Cote  de 
rOie,  343;  Niederfeulen,  437;  Ratten- 
tout,  164,  379,  384;  Verdun  subsector, 

329; 

attack  on  Bois  de  Forges,  381-382; 
detachment  to  io8th  Engineers,  Cum- 
ieres-RafFecourt  road,  88,  89;  Division 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Camp  Logan, 
307;  headquarters,  Briey,  429;  move- 
ment to:  Anderny,  430;  Briey,  429; 
Camp  Logan,  307;  Camp  Moulin 
Brule,  376;  Camp  Upton,  315;  Chail- 
lon,  389,  426;  Doncourt,  428;  Longbut, 
328;  Mondorf,  431;  Schifflingen,  430; 
trenches  near  Consenvoye,  157,  353, 
355;    Woimbey,    386;    Wollmeringen, 

430; 

proposed  transfer  to  Long  area,  319; 
relief  of  158th  Brigade,  (79th  Division), 
subsector  Massachusetts,  174;  relieved 
by  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  390;  relieves  310th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  386;  reserve,  Bois  de 
Forges,  139,  147,  370;  reserve  for  the 


INDEX 


481 


33rd  Division,  63,  93;  review,  Chicago, 
293;  sails  from  Hoboken,  32,  317;  sup- 
ports: 17th  French  Corps,  355;  310th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  177,  386; 

Company  A,  at:  Consenvoye,  142; 
Ravin  des  Caurettes,  330;  in  Bois  de 
Chaume,  361; 

Company  B,  at:  Consenvoye,  142; 
Ravin  des  Caurettes,  330; 

Company  D,  at  Consenvoye,  142 
One  Hundred  Twenty-third  Field  Artil- 
lery, U.S.,  244;  advance  to  Very,  246; 
at  Lintgen,  438;  Colonel  B.  C.  Smith 
relieved,  313;  heavy  artillery  grouping, 
244;  motorized,  8,  249;  National  Guard 
designation  changed,  5;  reorganization 
at  Camp  Logan,  311;  review,  Chicago, 
294;  sails  from  Hoboken,  317 
One  Hundred  Twenty-third  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  U.S.,  at:  Bois  d'en  Dela,  88; 
Connecticut  subsector,  386,  390;  Hill 
280,  p.  340;  Rupt-en-Woevre,  384; 

awards,  Diekirch  horse  show,  442; 
casualties,  337,  338,  339,  340,  341,  349, 
362,  364,  372,  373.  374.  395;  less  Com- 
panies A  and  B,  movement  to  Bois  des 
Sarteiles,  328;  movement  to:  Erpelding- 
en  and  Ingeldorf,  434;  Fort  du  Troyon 
area,  427;  Fresnes-en-Woevre,  395; 
Rivoli,  387; 

relief  area,  Bois  du  Chana,  162;  relief 
stage,  Bois  Plat-Chene,  173;  review, 
Chicago,  293;  sails  from  Hoboken,  317; 
south  of  Consenvoye,  366;  supported 
by  Company  D,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  339-340;  units  composing. 
Camp  Logan,  308;  units  relieve  311th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  subsector 
Connecticut,  387; 

Company  A.  143?  advanced  to  Bois 
de  la  Cote  Lemont,  92;  assigned  to  66th 
Brigade,  359;  in  line  in  Bois  de  Chaume, 
362;  in  reserve,  Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont, 
339;  movement  to:  Bois  Bourrus,  378; 
Rupt-en-Woevre,  380;  sub-sector  Con- 
necticut, 390;  trenches  south  of  Con- 
senvoye, 375; 

occupies  Hill  281,  p.  no;  passed  to 
command  of  130th  Infantry,  near 
Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  349;  moves 
to  Bois  Bourrus,  162;  relieved  in 
Bois  de  Chaume,  375;  relieves  65th 
Brigade,  Bois  d'en  Dela,  86;  sent 
across  Meuse,  129-130;  sent  to  Bois 
de  Chaume,  130;  supports  129th 
Infantry,  Rascasse  Trench,  82;  with 
129th  Infantry,  421;  withdrawn, 
Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  356; 


Company  B,  advances  to  Bois  de  la 
Cote  Lemont,  92;  assigned  to  129th  In- 
fantry, 82;  at:  Brabant  trenches,  158, 
373;  Brieulles,  341; 

attack,  near  Vilosnes-sur-Meuse, 
338;  fire  on  enemy,  Meuse  operations, 
337;  movement  to:  area  near  Mouil- 
ly,  386;  Hill  281,  p.  85;  organized  for 
defence,  Bois  de  Dannevoux,  337; 
position  of,  Bois  de  Dannevoux,  34 1; 
relieved  by:  Company  D,  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Bois  de 
Dannevoux,  150,  372;  Company  C, 
124th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  near 
Consenvoye,  373;  Company  D,  1 24th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  150; relieves: 
right  brigade,  80th  Division,  86; 
311th  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Cen- 
tre of  Resistance  Augusta,  176; 

rest  billets  at  Sommedieue,  163; 
support  of  129th  Infantry,  near 
Vilosnes,  no;  with  129th  Infantry, 
421; 

Company  C,  at:  Bois  de  la  Cote 
Lemont,  88;  Brieulles,  341;  Ranzieres, 
421; 

harass  BrieuIles-sur-Meuse,  339; 
organized  tor  defence,  Meuse  opera- 
tions, 337;  outpost  lines  near  Sivry- 
sur-Meuse,  158;  rest  billets  at  Som- 
medieue, 163; 

Company  D,  at:  Bois  de  Ranzieres, 
396;  Bois  de  Septsarges,  337;  Ranzieres 
to  Mouilly,  421; 

assigned  to  66th  Brigade,  359; 
attack,  Brieulles-sur-Meuse,  340; 
harass  Brieulles-sur-Meuse,  339,  341; 
in  line  in  Bois  de  Chaume,  362; 
movement  to:  Bois  Bourrus,  164, 
380,  381;  Bois  de  Septsarges,  89; 
Fresnes-en-Woevre,  190,  207;  Hobo- 
ken, 317;  Rupt-en-Woevre,  386; 
Sommedieue  area,  173,  380;  occupies: 
Bois  de  Septsarges,  89,  337;  Hill  281, 
pp.  no,  339; 

operations    on    Marcheville,    403; 
outposts  lines,  near  Sivry-sur-Meuse, 
158;   passed   to  command  of   130th 
Infantry,  near  Bois  de  la  Cote  Le- 
mont, 349;  position  at  Fresnes,  4O4; 
reserve  of  6';th   Brigade,  near  Ger- 
court-et-Drillancourt,    86;    sent    to 
Bois  de  Chaume,  130;  to  support  raid 
on     Marcheville,    403;     withdrawn, 
Bois  de  la  Cote  Lemont,  356 
Ormont,  loi,  151 
Ormont  Ferme,  108:  n5 
Ormont  Woods,  see  Bois  d'Ormont 


482 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Ornans,  179,  235,  299 
Orr,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Harry  D.  (io8th 
Sanitary  Train),  317 

Pagny-sur-Meuse,  236 

Parfondrupt,  207,  211 

Parois,  Bois  de,  242 

Passchendaele,  319 

Passerelle  du  Don,  62 

"Patterson"  (code  word  for  33rd  Divi- 
sion), 227,  340 

Peabody,  Corporal  Walter  G.  (131st 
Infantry),  decorated,  439 

Peace,  Colonel  VV.  G.  filth  Field  Artil- 
lery), 249 

Pear  Trench,  38,  40 

Peking  Relief  Expedition,  450 

Pershing,  General  John  J.  (Commander- 
in-Chief  of  American  Expeditionary 
Forces),  280;  asks  withdrawal  of  Amer- 
ican troops  at  Hamel,  321;  commenda- 
tion of  First  Army,  U.  S.,  in  Meuse- 
Argonne  battle,  233-234;  commenda- 
tion of  33rd  Division,  289-290,  302; 
emphasizes  need  of  thorough  training, 
6,  22;  letter  to  General  Bell,  448; 
reviews  33rd  Division,  288;  telegram 
from,  to  Major  General  Dickman,  241; 
telegram  to,  from  Marshal  Foch,  225; 
visits  Division  Headquarters,  37,  51 

Petain,  Marshal  Henri  Philippe,  honored 
at  Metz,  263;  triumphal  entry  into 
Metz,  426 

Pettit,  Lieutenant  John  (Aide-de-Camp 
to  General  Todd),  271 

Picardy,  55 

Piemes,  435 

Pierrefitte,  242 

Pintheville,  192;  goal  of  65th  Brigade, 
212;  patrol,  203,  204,  403 

Placey,  Camp  de,  328 

Plat-Chene  Woods,  see  Bois  Plat-Chene 
and  Ravin  Plat-Chene 

Poincaire,  Raymond,  President  of  the 
French  Republic,  262,  263 

Pont  Remy,  37 

Pont-a-Mousson,  237 

Pontanezan  Barracks,  318 

Pope,  Corporal  Thomas  A.  (i3rst  Infan- 
try), decorated,  284,  288 

Pouilly,  2<;4 

Poulainville,  36 

Prairie  Division,  32,  293 

President  Lincoln,  transport,  317,  318 

Presidio  (San  Francisco,  Calif.),  312 

Price,  Lieutenant  Edward  J.  (124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion),  387 


Prisoners  and  materiel,  after  armistice, 
425-426;  at  Bois  d'Harville,  216,  410; 
Bois  de  Chaume  operations,  145,  371; 
Bois  de  Warville,  196;  Gressaire  Wood, 
47-48,  49;  La  Beuville,  184-188; 
Meuse-Argonne,  115;  taken  at  Hamel, 
40,  41;  taken  at  Marcheville,  404; 
treatment  ot  prisoners,  258 

Providence  (Centre  of  Resistance,  sub- 
sector  Connecticut),  387,  392 

Publications,  160;  historical  pamphlet, 
287,  302,  446-447,  447-448 

Putnam,  Major  Floyd  F.  (124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion),  293,  317 

Puxe,  428,  429 

Quartermaster  Corps,  312 
Querrieu,  Bois  de,  36,  37 
Queue  de  Mala,  crossroads,  328 

Raffecourt,  88 

RafFecourt-Cumieres  road,  88,  89,  339 

Raichlen,  Captain  Henri  Leonard  (French 

Military  Mission),  310 
Railhead  Detachment,  review  of,  293 
"Rainbow    Division"    (42nd),  307;   em- 
barked at  Brest,  448;  Meuse-Argonne 
Campaign,   assigned    to   IVth    Corps, 
U.  S.,  329 
Rambluzin,  164,  173 
Rambucourt,    236,    237,    240;   region   of 

Rivers  artillery  grouping,  239,  240 
Ramsay,  Major  General  F"rank  (58th 
British  Division),  telegram  from,  to: 
Colonel  Sanborn,  commending  131st 
Infantry,  50;  General  Bell,  commending 
33rd  Division,  50 
Ranzieres,  174,  207,  213,  385,  400,  402, 

403,  406,  421 
Ranzieres,  Bois  de,  207,  390,  392,  396,  427 
Rapps,  Ravin  les,  154 
Rascasse  Trench,  82 
Rattentout,  163,  164,  381,  384,  386 
Rau  du  Moutru,  394 
Ravigny  road,  164 
Ravins: 

De  la  Reine,  134,  140,  156; 
De   la    Vaux   de    Mille    Mais,    121, 
142, 156; 
De  Molleville,  line  of,  134,  140,  156; 
De    Moyemont,    I42;    advance     of 
29th  Division,  154; 
De  Walonsevaux,  108; 
Des  Caurettes,  85,  330; 
Du  Gue  Semette,  75,  100; 
Du  Plat-Chene,  123,  134,  140; 
Les  Rapps,  154; 
Genousevaux,  400 


INDEX 


483 


Rawalt,  Lieutenant  Frank  W.  (130th 
Infantry),  204,  399 

Rawlinson,  General  Sir  Henry  (Com- 
manding the  Fourth  British  Army),  35, 
297;  letter  from,  to  33rd  Division,  com- 
mending division,  52-53;  response  to 
Field  Marshal  Sir  Douglas  Haig,  319; 
telegram  from,  to  General  Bell,  com- 
mending 33rd  Division,  42;  uses 
American  troops,  37,  319-321;  visits 
Headquarters  of  33rd  Division,  53-54 

Recourt,  162,  164,  194,  379,  385,400,  402 

Redange,  268 

Redding,  Private  Ray  (131st  Infantry), 
decorated,  439 

Redingen,  443 

Redingen  Infantry  School,  see  Schools 

Regneville,  330,  345 

Regret,  394;  Ilird  Corps  Headquarters, 
150 

Regret  Sector,  commanded  by  General 
Ain,  393 

Reine,  Bois  de  la,  102,  118,  126.  See  a/so 
Ravin  de  la  Reine 

Reine,  Foret  de  la,  236,  237,  240 

Reisdort,  434 

Remich,  263,  265,  267,  269,  286,431,432, 

433»  434.  437 
Remonville,  250,  251,  253 
Rheims,  60 
Riaville,  267,  403,  404;  mission  of  65th 

Brigade,  212;  patrols  near,  203;  taken, 

.223.415 
Riaville-Maizeray,  398 
Richecourt  sector,  239 
Richene,  134,  140,  352 
Richene-Consenvoye  road,  108,  112 
Richmond,  Colonel  H.  R.  (General  Head- 
quarters), 280 
Ridgway,  Major  Hamlet  C.  (131st  Infan- 
try), 27,74,99-100,311 
Riding   and   Driving  School,   Dommeld- 

ingen,  see  Schools 
Rivers,  artillery  grouping,  238,  239 
Rivers,  Sergeant  Louis  R.  (131st  Infan- 

trv),  decorated,  439 
Rivoli,  387 
Roads: 

Chimay-Guise,    191; 
Consenvoye-Etraye,  149; 
Consenvoye-Reville,  352; 
Consenvoye-Richene,  108-112; 
Consenvoye-Sivry-sur-Meuse,     112, 
123,  132; 

Corbie-Bray    (sur-Somme),  44,   45, 
46,48; 

Forges-Bethincourt,  69,  70,  77,  150, 
331; 


Forges-Drillancourt,  77,  78,  79; 
Gercourt  -  et  -  Drillancourt  -  Con- 
senvoye,  72,  76, 373; 

Grandpre-Varennes,  67; 
Morlancourt-Chipilly,  46; 
Morlancourt  -  Etinehem,  48; 
Sailly  -  Laurette  -  Chipilly,  47; 
St.  Hilaire  -  Butgneville,    195,   201, 
203,   401; 

St.   Hilaire  -  Doncourt,    195,    196, 
400; 

St.  Hilaire-Wadonville,  392; 
Samogneux-Brabant,  345; 
Sivry-Consenvoye,  112,  123,  132; 
Sivry  -  sur  -  Meuse  -  Reville,  158; 
Verdun-Bar,  328; 
Verdun-Sedan,  72,  77 
Robert,  Lieutenant  Emile  (French  Mili- 
tary Mission),  310 
Robinson,    Lieutenant    E.    R.     (British 

Military  Mission),  309 
Roches,  Cote  des,  345 
Rockhill,   Lieutenant   Robert  A.    (124th 
Machine    Gun    Battalion),    attack   on 
Bois  d'Harville,  410 
Rogers,    Lieutenant    Colonel   Joseph    A. 
(124th    Field   Artillery),   review,   Chi- 
cago, 294 
Rogers,  artillery  grouping,  254 
Romagne,  248 
Rond,  Bois,  338,  343,  349 
Roosevelt,  The  Honorable  Franklm  D., 
visits  Headquarters  of  33rd  Division, 

53.  54 
Roosevelt,  Ex-President  Theodore,  death, 

273,  439 
Roth,  Major  George  E.  (58th  F.  A.  Bri- 
gade Headquarters),  281 
Roue,  Trench  de  la,  87 
Rouen,  35 

Route  de  Issoncourt,  260 
Royaumeix,  443;  training  school,  277 
Ruckman,   Major  General,   Commander 
of  the  Southern  Department,  10,  18,  21 
Ruisseaux: 

Bamont,  82; 
De  Damon,  63; 
De  Forges,  61,  68,  167; 
De  Menomme,  150; 
De  Moutru,  195,  203,  394 
Rupt  de  Madt,  239 
Rupt-en-Woevre,  164,  174,  380,  384,386, 

426 
Russia,  323 

St.  Benoit-en-Woevre-Woel  posts,  185 
St.  Hilaire,  185,  188,  217,  222,  389,  392, 
403,  414,  415;  occupation  of,  214,  407, 


484 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


4I1;  operations,  398,  400,  405;  patrols 
near,  202-203,  388,  39°.  39i>  393>  394. 
395,  400-401,  414;  raids,  194,  195,  198, 
200,  223,  398 

St.  Hilaire-Butgneville  road,  195,  201, 
203,  401 

St.  Hilaire-Doncourt  road,  195,  196,  400 

St.  Hilaire-Wadonville  road,  392 

St.  Maurice,  206,387,421;  Centre  of  Resis- 
tance, 394 

St.  Mihiel,  179,  189;  offensive,  56,  60,  233, 
236,  237-238,  297 

St.  Mihiel  sector,  General  Hellot  assumes 
command  of,  393 

St.  Pantaleon,  Cote  de,  118,  131,  134 

St.  Remy,  191,  406,  413 

St.  Roch,  54 

Saar  Valley,  265,  447 

Saarburg,  264,  265,  432,  433 

Sachet,  Bois,  66,  86,  i<o,  !<;<:,  i<;9 

Sadler,  Lieutenant  John  W.  (65th  Bri- 
gade Headquarters),  307 

Sailly-Laurette,  322 

Sailly-Laurette-Chipilly  road,  47 

Sailly-le-Sec,  45,  46 

Saizerais,  170,  192,  270,  435 

Salvage  Squad  No.  303,  p.  445 

Samogneux,  104,  105,  330,  345,  381 

Samogneux-Brabant  road,  345 

Samogneux-Brabant  zone,  1 1 1 

San  Antonio  (Tex.),  311 

Sanborn,  Colonel  Joseph  B.  (131st  Infan- 
try), 45,  46,  293,  311,  317,  349,  364, 
385, 409;  at:  Gressaire  Wood,  47;  Metz, 
263,  429;  attack  on:  Bois  de  Chaume, 
119,  368;  Bois  d'Harville,  213,  223- 
224; 

commander  ist  Illinois  Infantry,  306; 
conducts  raid  against  St.  Hilaire,  194; 
decorated,  275,  291,  448;  exemption 
from  attendance  at  Brigade  and  Field 
Officers'  School  requested,  311;  letter 
to,  from  General  Ramsay,  commending 
131st  Infantry,  50;  on  Prussian  morale, 
204;  sent  to  Machine  Gun  Training 
School,  319;  temporary  command,  147 

Sandling,  Sergeant  Willie  (132nd  Infan- 
try), decorated,  274 

Sandweiler,  431,  432 

Sanger,  Lieutenant  William  C,  Jr.  (131st 
Infantry),  409 

Sanitary  School,  Redingen,  see  Schools 

SanitaryTrain,  elements  in,  307 

Sartelles,  see  Bois  des  Sartelles,  Fort  des 
Sartelles 

Saulx-en-Woevre,  186,  204,  208,  395,  404, 
406;  occupied  by  129th  and  130th  In- 
fantries, 213,  394,  399,  414, 420;  shelled 


by  enemy,  403 
Sauvigny,    Major   Bertier   de,   330;   sug- 
gests plan  for  capture  ot  Bois  de  Forges, 
381 
Schieren,  434 
Schifflingen,  430,  431 
Schmidt,    Lieutenant    RuSsel    A.    (io8th 

Field  Signal  Battalion),  346 
Schnepp,  Lieutenant  Carrol  D.,  224,  407 
Scholes,  Sergeant  William  (131st  Infan- 
try), decorated,  439 
Schonfels,  269,  272,  438 
Schools: 

American  Expeditionary  Forces  Uni- 
versity, Beaune,  276,  282,  44I; 

Army  Candidates'  School,  Langres, 
329; 

Army  Engineers'  School,  Langres, 
officers  sent  to,  319,  32;; 

.'\rmy  General  Staff  College,  Langres, 
officers  sent  to,  318,  329,  337; 

Army  Line  School,  Langres,  329; 

Army  Signal  Candidates'  School, 
Langres,  329; 

Artillery  School,  Valdahon,  282; 

Brigade  and  Field  Officers'  School, 
San  Antonio,  Tex.,  13,  26,  311,  312; 

Division  Educational  School,  Vian- 
den,  273,  276,  285; 

Division  Infantry  School,  Redingen, 
281,  285,  443; 

Division  School  of  Operations,  Camp 
Logan,  23; 

Division  Training  Centre,  Vianden, 
276; 

Gas  Defense  School,  Chaumont,  325; 

Gas  Defense  School,  Gondrecourt, 
325; 

Infantry  Candidates'  School,  Lan- 
gres, 325; 

Infantry  Specialists'  School,  Langres, 

319,325.; 

Machine  Gun  School,  Havre,  32<; 

Machine  Gun  Training  School, 
Grantham,  Eng.,  319,  321;;  ;j 

Motor    Transport    School,    Decize, 

329;  ,  .   .  ^ 

Officers'  Trammg  Camp,  Leon 
Springs,  Tex.,  10,  13,  29; 

Riding  and  Driving  School,  Dom- 
meldingen,  281,  285,  443; 

Sanitary  School.  Redingen,  285,  443; 

School  for  Cooks  and  Bakers,  Fort 
Riley,  Kan.,  312; 

School  for  Cooks  and  Bakers,  Pre- 
sidio, San  Francisco,  312; 

School  of  Fire,  Fort  Sill,  Okla.,  18; 

School  of  Liaison,  Saizerais,  190; 


INDEX 


485 


School  of  Operations,  Camp  Logan, 
course  of  study,  23,  313; 

Thirty-third        Division        Infantry 
School,  Bois  de  Nixeville,  57; 

Thirty-third       Division        Infantry 
School  of  Arms,  Camp  Logan,  12 

Schrader,  Private  {108th  Field  Signal 
Battalion),  346 

Schraum,  German  prisoner,  219 

Schuyler,  Philip  L.  (Adjutant  General), 
4-8»  439 

Schwengel,  Major  Frank  R.  (i22nd  Field 
Artillery),  236,  250,  281 

Scotian,  transport,  235,  317 

Scott,  Lieutenant  Russel,  314 

Second  Army,  French,  33rd  Division 
with,  55,  450;  58th  F.  A.  Brigade  with, 
242 

Second  Army  Corps,  U.  S.,  165,  198,  260, 
262,  267;  33rd  Division  with,  265,  267, 
450;  telegram  from,  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Simpson,  226;  with  Fourth 
British  Army,  2S-,  31 

Second  Colonial  Army  Corps,  French, 
61,  173,  440;  assignment  of  divisions 
to,  329,  381;  assignment  of  33rd  Divi- 
sion to  Dieue  zone,  i65;GeneralClaudel 
assumes  command  of,  394;  headquar- 
ters, St.  Mihiel,  189;  limits,  177;  St. 
Mihiel  salient,  237 

Second  Colonial  Infantry  Regiment, 
French,  relieves  130th  Infantry,  Bois 
de  Chaume  area,  378 

Second  Dismounted  Cavalry  Division, 
French,  assigned  to  2nd  Colonial 
Corps,  French,  Meuse-Argonne  cam- 
paign, 329 

Second  Division,  U.S.,  assigned  to  IVth 
Corps, U.S.,  Meuse-Argonne  campaign, 
329 

Second  Illinois  .'\mbulance  Company, 
arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  306 

Second  Illinois  Field  Artillery,  arrives  at 
Camp  Logan,  305;  Battery  A,  arrives 
at  Camp  Logan,  305;  formerly  First 
Illinois  Cavalry,  becomes  122nd  Field 
Artillery,  5 

Second  Illinois  Field  Hospital,  arrives  at 
Camp  Logan,  306 

Second  Illinois  Infantry,  arrival  at  Camp 
Logan,  305,  306;  becomes  132nd  Infan- 
try, 66th  Brigade,  Camp  Logan,  307 

Second  Provisional  Regiment  (Camp 
Logan),  27 

Sedan-Mezieres  drive,  60-62 

Seille  River,  21 1 

Senegalese  battalions,  loi 

(1) 


Senningen,  432,  433 

Senoncourt,  328 

Septsarges  Woods,  see  Bois  de  Septsarges 

Seraucourt,  242 

Service  Park  Units  Nos.  304  and  305,  pp. 
445-446 

Seventeenth  Division,  French,  raid, 
Bois  de  Forges,  381 

Seventeenth  French  Army  Corps,  127, 
145,  146,  148,  210,  328,  440;  advance, 
Bois  d'Haumont,  iii;  advances  to- 
wards Conflans,  207;  aided  by  79th 
Division,  Verdun  sector,  327;  aided  by 
I22nd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  129th 
and  130th  Infantries,  east  side  of 
Meuse,  355;  attack:  heights  of  Meuse, 
342;  right  bank  of  Meuse,  343;  attains: 
Bois  de  Moirey,  126;  Bois  de  la  Jieine, 
126;  captures:  Bois  des  Hautes  Epines, 
405;  towns,  405; 

composition,  October  5,  191 8,  p.  344; 
decorations  to  33rd  Division,  375-376; 
engineers  bridge  Meuse,  105;  General 
Hellot  commands,  394;  line  attained, 
Bois  de  Molleville,  115,  126;  mission, 
Troyon-sur-Meuse,  202;  objective:  Bois 
de  la  Reine,  102,  118;  Bois  de  Moirey, 
118,  134;  Heights  of  Meuse,  near  Beau- 
mont, loi; 

operation  order,  157;  orders  from, 
118,  154,  258;  supported  by:  33rd 
Division,  98,  343;  79th  Division,  57, 
327;  57th  Brigade,  in;  telegram  from, 
to  33rd  Division,  concerning  armistice, 
198;  units  of:  29th  Division,  344; 
33rd  Division,  55,  160,  189,  343, 
450 

Seventh  Battalion  (London  Regiment), 
part  of  174th  Brigade,  British,  324 

Seventh  Corps,  U.  S.,  33rd  Division  with, 
264,  284,  450 

Seventh  Division,  U.S.,  275 

Seventh  Field  Artillery,  U.S.,  Butner 
grouping,  239 

Seventh  Illinois  Infantry,  arrives  at  Camp 
Logan,  305,  306;  assignment  of  units, 
307;  National  Guard  designation 
changed,  4; 

Headquarters  Company,  308; 
Machine    Gun    Company,   assigned 
to     I22nd     Machine    Gun    Battalion, 
Camp  Logan,  307 

Seventh  Illinois  Infantry  Band,  sent  to 
Leon  Springs,  Tex.,  313 

Seventy-eighth  Division,  U.S.,  assigned 
to  IVth  Corps,  U.S.,  Meuse-Argonne 
campaign,  329 

Seventy-ninth  Division,  U.S.,  62,  63,  173; 


486 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


assigned  to:  Vth  Corps  U.S.,  Meuse- 
Argonne  campaign,  329;  17th  Army 
Corps,  French,  Verdun  sector,  327; 
assignment  of  battalion  of  129th 
Infantry  to,  Chattancourt,  328;  Engi- 
neer regiment  relieved  by  io8th  Engi- 
neers in  Grande  Tranchee  de  Calonne, 
177;  Meuse-Argonne  battle,  58;  passes 
from  17th  Army  Corps,  French,  to 
Ilird  Corps,  U.S.,  57;  relieved  by  33rd 
Division,  165,  377,  384;  supports  91st 
Division,  Aire  Valley,  243;  transfers 
command  of  Connecticut,  Massachu- 
setts and  Troyon  subsectors  to  33rd 
Division,  178 

Seventy-second  Reserve  Infantry  Regi- 
ment, German,  80 

Seventy-seventh  Division,  U.S.,  assigned 
to  1st  Corps,  U.S.,  Meuse-.'^rgonne 
campaign,  329 

Seventy-seventh  Infantry,  French,  345 

Seventy-sixth  Field  x'\rtillery,  U.S.,  238, 
239 

Shantz,  Lieutenant  Joseph  E.  (131st  In- 
fantry), 332 

Shearman,  Captain  Philip  G.  (Camp 
Adjutant,  Camp  Logan),  314 

Sherwood,  Lieutenant  George  VV.  (131st 
Infantry),  decorated,  275 

Shields,  Lieutenant  Charles  C.  (123rd 
Field  Artillery),  248 

Shor,  Lieutenant  George  G.  (Division 
Statistical  Officer),  report,  309 

Sibony,  transport,  448 

Sigush,  Lieutenant  (210th  Reserve  Infan- 
try, German),  220 

Simonds,  Frank  E.,  comment  on  33rd 
Division,  383 

Simpson,  Lieutenant  William  E.  (131st 
Infantry),  killed  in  attack  on  Bois 
d'Harville,  410 

Simpson,  Lieutenant  Colonel  William  H., 
381,  385,  386,  418;  acting  Chief-of- 
StafF,  260,  374;  Aide-de-Camp,  General 
Bell,  1 1,  305;  commands  second  provis- 
ional regiment.  Camp  Logan,  27,  311; 
manages  Infantry  School  of  Arms,  12; 
telegram  to,  from  Second  Army,  226 

Sivry-Consenvoye  road,  112,  123,  132 

Sivry-la-Perche,  64,  328 

Sivry-les-Bezancv,  Kriemhild  Stellung, 
67 

Sivry-sur-Meuse,  90,  113,.  115,  118,  120, 
158;  objective,  102;  reconnaissance, 
132;  shelled,  135,  159,  354,  360,  364, 
377;  strength  of  position,  109 

Sivry-sur-Meuse-Reville  road,  158 


Sixth  Australian  Brigade,  322 

Sixth  Battalion  (London  Regiment),  324 

Sixth  Colonial  Infantry  Regiment, 
French,  relieved  129th  Infantry  in 
Consenvoye  sector,  378 

Sixth  Corps,  U.S.,  285,  286;  area  defined, 
Luxembourg,  275;  assigned  to  com- 
mand of  General  BuUard,  270;  captures 
Bois  de  Frehaut  and  Bois  de  la  Woiv- 
rotte,  405;  General  Bell  commands, 
435,  436;  headquarters  moved  to 
Piemes,  435;  motor  show,  Luxembourg, 
287;  supported  by  33rd  Division,  268, 
450;  transferred  to  Third  Armv,  U.S., 
284 

Sixth  Field  Artillery,  U.S.,  Butner  group- 
ing, 239 

Sixth  Illinois  Infantry,  308;  arrival  at 
Camp  Logan,  305;  National  Guard 
designation  changed,  5;  Company  B 
arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  306;  Company 
M  arrives  at  CampLogan,  305,  Machine 
Gun  Company  transferred  to  108th 
Trench  Mortar  Battery,  308 

Sixtieth  Landwehr  Regiment,  German, 
192;  casualties,  192 

Sixty-fifth  Brigade,  U.S.,  4,  88,  89,  91,  92, 
125,  310,  339;  advance  in  Verdun  sec- 
tor, 383;  area  shelled,  89;  arrives  at 
Brest,  34;  assigned  to  Ilird  Corps,U.S., 
Esnes,  82;  at:  Behen,  35;  Bois  de  la 
Cote  Lemont,  138,  143;  Fort  de  Troyon 
261;  Mouilly,  423;  Velaines,  325; 

attack  on  Marcheville,  192;  awards, 
Diekirch  horse  show,  443;  change  of 
command,  324;  combat  liaison  with 
4th  Division,  Forges  subsector,  93; 
contest  with  66th  Brigade,  Luxem- 
bourg, 28^,  445;  debarked,  Brest, 
318;  division  reserve,  63,  81;  head- 
quarters at:  Bethelainville,  63,  329; 
Genicourt,  426,  428;  Germonville, 
378;  Jarny,  428;  Mouilly,  212,  420,  423, 
426;  Sommedieue,  163-164,  384;  Thil- 
lot,  428; 

in  Consenvoye  sector,  382-383;  mis- 
sion, Meuse  operations,  94;  mission, 
Troyon-sur-Meuse  operations,  212; 
movement  to:  Bertrangen,  430;  Ettel- 
bruck,  434;  Gercourt-et-Drillancourt, 
84;  Jarny,  428;  Manternach,  432;  Nei- 
deranven,  431;  Norroy,  429;  Second 
Army  area,  Luxembourg,  434;  Thillot, 
428;  Tranchee  de  Heraclee,  149;  Ville- 
rupt,  430; 

musketry  competition  with  66th 
Brigade,  445;  operations  along  Meuse 
382;    patrols:    Brieulles,    340;    Meuse 


INDEX 


487 


region,  155;  Tranchee  de  Teton,  340, 
341;  Troyon  sector,  388; 

position,  Sommedieue — Rupt  -  en  - 
VVoevre  line,  165;  recalled  from  German 
territory,  265,  266;  relieved,  Bois  du 
Ghana,  162;  relieves:  66th  Brigade,  139, 
141, _  142,  143;  157th  Brigade  (79th 
Division),  173-174; 

reserve  for  Ilird  Corps,  U.S.,  Bois 
d'en  Dela,  86;  review  of  brigade  head- 
quarters, 293;  reviewed:  Ettelbruck, 
287;  Houston,  Tex.,  308; 

sails  from  Hoboken,  317;  supported 
by:  1st  Battalion,  115th  Field  Artillery, 
Bois  d'Harville,  218;  Company  D, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  86; 

units  at:  Camon  area,  349;  Fort  du 
Troyon  area,  427; 

Headquarters  Detachment,  embarks, 

32,317 

Sixty-fifth  Regiment  (Colonial  Army 
Corps,  French),  244 

Sixty-fourth  Austro-Hungarian  Regi- 
ment, 186 

Sixty-fourth  Brigade  (32nd  Division), 
captures:  Bois  de  la  Morine,  248; 
Bois  du  Chene  Sec,  248;  Gesnes,  248 

Sixty-ninth  Division,  French,  assigned 
to  IVth  Corps,  U.S.,  Meuse-Argonne 
campaign,  329 

Sixty-second  F.  A.  Brigade,  U.S.,  178; 
assigned  to  General  Bell,  179;  at  Thil- 
lombois,  423;  withdrawal  to  Troyon- 
St.  Mihiel  railroad,  258 

Sixty-sixth  Brigade,  U.S.,  120,  310,  342; 
activity  of  units,  west  bank  of  Meuse, 
125,  139;  assigned  to  Australian  Corps, 
37;  assignment  of  129th  Infantry  and 
Machine  Gun  Battalion  for  temporary 
duty  on  east  bank  of  Meuse,  344;  at: 
Guerpont,  325;  Hamel  area,  51;  attack: 
Bois  de  Forges,  62-63,  99i  Butgneville, 
223;  south  of  Hill  371,  p.  362; 

awards,  Diekirch  horse  show,  442- 
443;  Brigadier  General  Foster  retired, 
13;  Brigadier  General  Paul  A.  Wolf  in 
command,  21;  captures  Bois  de  Forges, 
8i;  casualties,  35,  81,  145;  designation 
changed,  308;  enemy  forces  opposing 
Meuse  operations,  145;  headquarters 
bombed,  318;  headquarters:  Deux- 
nouds,  421,  423,  428;  Genicourt,  164, 
384;  near  Chattancourt,  329; 

holds  Troyon  sector,  381;  Machine 
Gun  Company,  relieves  Company  B, 
123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion,  in  Bois 


de  Dannevoux,  372;  mission:  Bois  de 
Chaume,  118;  Troyon-sur-Meuse  oper- 
ations, 212,  213,  223;  movement  to: 
Chateau  de  Meysembourg,  269,  434; 
Dommeldingen,  286;  Echternach,  273; 
Esch,  430;  Hesperingen,  430;  Hoboken, 
316;  Labry,  428;  Mancieulles,  429; 
Remich,  267,  431,  433;  Saarburg,  432; 

musketry  competition  with  65th 
Brigade,  445;  near  Schonfels,  269;  ob- 
jective: Bois  la  Dame,  221;  Harville, 
192; 

operations  along  Meuse,  382;  opera- 
tions on  St.  Hilaire,  398;  organized, 
Camp  Logan,  4;  patrols  along  Meuse, 
87,  91;  position  on  Meuse,  84,  86,  155; 
prisoners  and  materiel,  81,  I44,  145; 
proposed  transfer  from  Fourth  British 
Army,  319;  relief  of:  65th  Brigade 
completed,  near  Consenvoye,  I47; 
158th   Brigade    (79th   Division),    174, 

3^7;  ... 

review  in  Junglinster,  287;  sails 
from  Hoboken,  317;  sector,  held  by 
Company  C,  124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  94,  106,  116-117,  125; 
stationed  at  Haucourt,  35;  success 
of,  Bois  de  Chaume,  109;  supported 
by:  123rd  Machine  Gun  Battalion, 
359;  3''d  Battalion,  129th  Infantry, 
arfd  Machine  Gun  Company,  342,  344; 
129th  Infantry,  359;  130th  Infantry, 
Cumieres,  63;  the  319th  Infantry,  70, 
73,  74,  84,  85,  86,  332; 

transfer  to  west  bank  of  Meuse,  137- 
139,  142;  units  composing.  Camp 
Logan,  307;  units  in  reserve,  123,  153; 
units  in  trenches,  Camon,  Hamel  areas, 
51;  units  located  at  St.  Hilaire,  4I4; 
withdrawn  from  German  territory,  266 

Sixty-sixth  Infantry,  French,  336,  345 

Sixty-third  Austro-Hungarian  Regiment, 
186 

Slack, Private  Clayton  K.(i24th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion),  decorated,  274 

Smith,  Colonel  B.  C,  ordered  to  Camp 
Lewis,  Washington,  313 

Smith,  Colonel  E.  T.  (io6th  Field  Artil- 
lery), artillery  command,  112,  126,  128, 
135,  152,348 

Smith,  Colonel  Mathew  C,  314 

Somme  River,  operations  on,  38-51,  297, 
322 

Sommedieue,  163-164,  379,  380,  384,  386, 
387 

Sommedieue  area,  173 


488 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Sommedieue-Rupt-en-Woevre  line,  165 

Sommerance,  Knemhild  Stellung,  67 

Somnitz,  Corporal  Carl  (131st  Infantry), 
decorated,  439 

Sorenson,  Major  Samuel  N.  (io8th  Am- 
munition Train),  317,  422 

Souhesmes-la-Grande,  328 

Souilly,  164,  426,  439 

Southwick,  Major  Mariano  B.  (122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion),  S^'-,  appoint- 
ed G-3,  Assistant  Chief  of  Staff,  277 

Spa,  199 

Spiers,  Captain  James  (Ordnance  Officer, 
33rd  Division),  305 

Spincourt,  429,  430 

Stansfield,  Lieutenant  Colonel  James  H. 
(132nd  Infantry),  124;  replaces  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Huidekoper  as  Division 
Adjutant,  Diekirch,  444 

Stars  and  Stripes,  439 

Steinsel,  286 

Stenay,  272,  438;  conference  at,  260 

Stenay-Beaumont,  420 

Stensaas,  Private  Edwin  S.  (124th  Ma- 
chine Gun  Battalion),  416 

Stevenson,  Lieutenant  Donald  W.  (130th 
Infantry),  399  _ 

Stockwell,  Captain  Tames  C.  (131st  In- 
fantry), 214,  408;  leads  raid  against  St. 
Hilaire,  200 

Stokes,  Private  Harry  (131st  Infantry), 
decorated,  439 

Stonne,  61 

Storrs,  Lieutenant  (124th  Machine  Gun 
Battalion),  416 

Strassen,  440,  442 

Strong,  Colonel  Gordon,  311;  commander, 
3rd  Illinois  Field  Artillery,  306;  resig- 
nation, 312 

Styles,  Captain  Herbert  W.  (Headquar- 
ters Troop),  commandant,  Riding  and 
Driving  School,  Dommeldingen,  443; 
review,  293;  sails  from  Hoboken,  317 

Submarine  episode,  23 

Summerall,  Major  General  Charles  P. 
(ist  Division,  Vth  Corps,  U.S.),  241; 
letter  from,  252,  255 

Supply  Companies,  consolidation  of  5th 
Illinois  Infantry,  7th  Illinois  Infantry, 
130th  Infantry,  131st  Infantry,  308 

Swaim,  Major  David  R.  (i22nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion),  317 

Tailly,  253 
Talou,  Cote  de,  329 

Tardieu,  Andre,  letter  from,  to  General 
Bell,  commending  33rd  Division.  292, 


302 

Tenth  Battalion  (London  Regiment), 
part  of  175th  Brigade,  British,  324; 
Gressaire  Wood,  46,  47 

Tenth  Colonial  Division,  French,  344, 
440;  defense,  east  bank  of  Meuse,  104; 
flank  position,  Brabant-Samogneux, 
III;  Cote  de  I'Oie,  118;  La  Wavrille, 
127,  131,  135;  mission,  Meuse  opera- 
tions, 140;  objective,  Caurieres  and 
I'Herbebois,  102;  transferred  to  33rd 
Army  Corps,  French,  154 

Teton,  see  Tranchee  de  Teton 

Tewilliger,  William  G.,  314 

Thenier,  Major  (French  Military  Mis- 
sion), visits  the  33rd  Division,  20,  25 

Thenorgues,  Kriemhild  Stellung,  67 

Thiepval,  197 

Thierville,  165,  328,  329 

Thillombois,  174,  423 

Thillombois-Woimbey  line,  193 

Thillot,  428 

Thillot,  Bois  de,  195 

Thinte,  loi 

Third  Army,  U.S.,  advances  toward 
Luxembourg,  260,  262,  425;  VI  th 
Corps,  U.  S.,  transferred  to,  284;  33rd 
Division  with,  286,  450 

Third  Bureau,  Chief  of  Staff,  see  General 
Ain 

Third  Corps,  U.S.,  assignment  of  divis- 
ions to,  Meuse-Argonne  campaign,  329; 
assignment  of  65th  Brigade  to,  82; 
directs  patrols  and  raids,  344;  limits, 
Meuse  operations,  328;  Meuse-Argon- 
ne campaign,  objectives,  61,  62;  Meuse 
operations,  86,  89,  90,  92,  93,  109; 
readjustment  of  units,  Verdun  sector, 
57;  79th  Division  assigned  to,  57; 
33rd  Division  assigned  to,  57,  286, 
329,342,450 

Third  Corps,  British,  Hamel,  39;  33rd 
Division  with,  450 

Third  Corps  area,  proposed  transfer  of 
66th  Brigade  to,  319 

Third  Division,  Australian,  headquar- 
ters at  Glisy,  320 

Third  Illinois  Ambulance  Company, 
arrives  at  Camp  Logan,  306 

Third  Illinois  Field  Artillery,  arrives  at 
Camp  Logan,  306;  becomes  124th 
Field  Artillery,  5 

Third  Illinois  Field  Hospital,  arrives  at 
Camp  Logan,  306 

Third  Illinois  Infantry,  arrives  at  Camp 
Logan,  306;  Company  C,   arrives  at 


INDEX 


489 


Camp   Logan,    305;    National    Guard 
designation  changed,  307 

Thirteenth  Battalion,  Australian,  319 

Thirteenth  Division,  German,  192  _ 

Thirtieth  Division,  British,  assists  in 
training  33rd  Division,  36,  298 

Thirty-fifth  Division,  Austro-Hungarian, 
63rd  Infantry  Regiment,  184,  186 

Thirty-fifth  Division,  U.S.,  assigned  to 
1st  Corps,  U.S.,  Meuse-Argonne  cam- 
paign, 329;  in  Aire  Valley,  243;  relieved 
by  8 1st  Division,  Troyon-sur-Meuse 
campaign,  194;  sent  to  Toul  sector,  36 

Thirty-ninth  Dismounted  Cavalry  Divi- 
sion, French,  assigned  to  2nd  Colonial 
Corps,  French,  329 

Thirty-ninth  Division,  French,  relieved 
by:  28th  Division,  177,  179;  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Chaillon,  389 

Thirty-second  Division,  U.S.,  assigned  to 
Vth  Corps,  U.S.,  Meuse-Argonne 
campaign,  329;  embarkation,  288,  446; 
58th  F.  A.  Brigade  with,  451 

Thirty-second  Division,  German,  350 

Thirty-seventh  Division,  U.S.,  advance  in 
Aire  Valley,  243;  assigned  to  Vth 
Corps,  U.S.,  Meuse-Argonne  campaign, 
329 

Thirty-third  Army  Corps,  French,    160 

Thirty -third  Division  (U.S.),  A.  E.  F., 
pamphlet  issued  to  officers  and  men, 
287,  302,  446,  447,  448 

Thirty-third  Division,  U.S.,  in  France: 
262;  armies  served  with,  450;  attack, 
Verdun  sector,  68;  awards,  Diekirch 
horse  show,  442;  comment  of  Sir  John 
Monash  concerning,  324;  death  rate, 
298; decorations,  51,  274,  284, 287,301- 
302,  425,  439;  detachment  of  58th  F.A. 
Brigade  from,  179,  298-299;  difficulties 
of  position  astride  Meuse,  109;  disci- 
pline and  spirit,  298;  distribution  of 
artillery  units,  387;  distribution  of 
units  near  Verdun,  163-164;  divisional 
artillery:  330;  operations,  Marcheville, 
403;  St.  Hilaire,  398; 

east  bank  of  Meuse,  136,  I44,  147, 
360;  east  of  Magenta  Ferme,  360;  em- 
barks at  Brest,  286,  446;  front  extend- 
ed, Troyon-sur-Meuse,  177;  headquar- 
ters, see  Division  Headquarters;  in 
Verdun  sector,  166;  honors,  Luxem- 
bourg horse  show,  282;  liaison  with 
l8th  Division,  French,  62;  machine 
gun  units,  299,  330;  mission,  Meuse 
operations,  150;  movement  to  Verdun 
sector,  56;  objective,  Meuse  to  Passer- 
elle  du  Don,  62;  officers  of,  300,  301, 


302,  303,  447;  operations,  Bois  de 
Chaume,  112-115;  operations  in  which 
engaged,  297,  298;  ordered  to  Leude- 
lange  area,  427;  patrols:  Bois  de  War- 
ville,  391,  394;  near  Butgneville,  391, 
392;  near  St.  Hilaire,  393; 

plan  of  attack,  Bois  de  Chaume,  127; 
police  area,  440;  position,  Bois  de 
Chaume  and  Plat-Chene,  134;  posi- 
tions occupied  by,  Tronville,  325; 
quality  of  opposition,  near  Malancourt, 
64;  raids,, on  Marcheville  and  Warville— 
Hautes  Epines,  202;  reconnaissances, 
Sivry-sur-Meuse,  132;  regiments  dis- 
tributed to  Australian  and  3rd  Corps, 
British,  320;  rejoined  by:  58th  F.  A. 
Brigade,  Luxembourg,  272;  io8th 
Field  Signal  Battalion  at  Eu,  318-319; 
1st  and  2nd  Battalions,  132nd  Infantry, 
100; 

relief  of  units,  near  Bois  Jure, 
164;  relieved  by:  79th  Division, 
Dieue,  165,  384;  units  from  4th  and 
80th  Divisions,  58;  15th  Colonial  Divi- 
sion, French,  Meuseoperations,  157,378; 

relieved  in  Verdun  sector,  450; 
relieves  79th  Division  in  Troyon  sector, 
377,  384;  reserve  from,  122nd  Machine 
Gun  Battalion,  63,  93;  return  of  io8th 
Supply  Train,  55;  sent  to  zone  of  33rd 
French  Army  Corps,  in  region  of  Fau- 
bourg Pave-Dieue-Genicourt,  160; 
service  of  supply  units  detached  to 
Third  Army,  U.S.,  286;  supported  by: 
52nd  F.  A.  Brigade,  55,  298;  55th  F.  A. 
Brigade,  179; 

supports  29th  Division,  Grande  Mon- 
tagne,  146;  takes  over  command  of 
Massachusetts  subsector,  178;  training 
in  Fourth  Army  area,  British  front, 
320;  transferred  to:  Second  Army,  U.S., 
Luxembourg,  265;  Second  Army  re- 
serve, 260,  262,  267;  Third  Army,  U.S., 
286;  Ilird  Corps,  U.S.,  Verdun  sector, 
57;  IVth  Corps,  U.S.,  near  Troyon-St. 
Mihiel  railway,  258;  Vlth  Corps,  U.S., 
Luxembourg,  268;  Vllth  Corps,  Third 
Army,  U.S.,  264;  17th  Army  Corps, 
French,  St.  Mihiel,  189; 

Troyon-sur-Meuse  sector,  210,  450; 
under  command  of  17th  Corps,  French, 
left  bank  of  Meuse,  342;  units  cross 
Meuse,  loo-iio;  units  go  to  Camp 
Mills,  Long  Island,  449;  uses  British 
ordnance  in  Picardy,  55;  Verdun  cas- 
ualties, 166;  west  bank  of  Meuse,  92, 
102,  153;  with:  First  Army,  U.S.,  52, 
450;   Second    Army,  French,  55,  450; 


490 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


Ilnd  Corps,  U.S.,  450;  Fourth  Army, 
British,  450;  Illrd  Corps,  U.S.,  for 
administration  and  supply,  left  bank 
of  Meuse,  342;  Vlth  Corps,  U.S.,  450; 
Vllth  Corps,  U.S.,  Luxembourg,  264; 
17th  Corps,  French,  98,  34.2;  IXth 
Corps,  U.S.,  450;  2nd  Colonial  Army 
Corps,  French,  Dieue  zone,  165; 

in  Luxembourg:  44 1;  Luxembourg 
motor  show  honors,  287; 

in  the  United  States:  accuracy  of 
records,  317;  departure  from  Camp 
Upton  to  Hoboken,  316;  designation 
as  a  replacement  division,  18,  19,  312; 
Illinois  National  Guard  nucleus,  i; 
officers  and  staff  appointed,  i;  organi- 
zation and  training:  Brigadier  General 
Henry  D.  Todd,  acting  commander, 
2-3,  4,  31;  British  and  French  instruc- 
tors, 7,  12,  21,  301;  departure  overseas, 
3,  II,  12,  29,  31-33.  317;  difficulties  of 
organization,  2-6,  11,  15,  30;  discharges 
for  disability,  7,  20;  equipment  and 
supplies,  8,  II,  12,  18-19,  28,  312;  im- 
provement in,  12,  21;  Model  Compa- 
nies, 14,  311;  morale,  7,  13,  17;  officers 
sent  to  training  camp,  13;  recruits 
needed,  17,  20-21,  22-23;  relations 
with  civilians,  2;  review,  26;  service 
and  supply,  285;  see  also  Alien  enemies, 
Schools; 

receives  detachment  of  "Misfits" 
from  2ist  Field  Artillery,  314;  re- 
view, Chicago,  293-294;  table  oi  de- 
parture of  units,  from  Camp  Logan  to 
Camp  Upton,  315-316;  visited  by 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Applin,  15-16,  17, 
20; 

Headquarters,  departure  from  Camp 
Upton  to  Hoboken,  316; 

Headquarters  Detachment,  embarks, 
317;  movement  from  Camp  Logan  to 
Camp  Upton,  315;  reaches  Camp  Up- 
ton, 31; 

Headquarters  Troop  awards,  Die- 
kirch  horse  show,  442,  443;  location: 
Dieue-sur-Meuse,  384;  Lempire,  329; 
movement  to:  Aumetz,  430;  Camp  Up- 
ton, 31;  Conflans,  428,  429;  Diekirch, 
433;  Esch,  430;  Grevenmacher,  433; 
Hoboken,  317; 

review,  295; 

Infantry  School,  see  Schools; 

Infantry  School  of  Arms,  see  Schools; 

Machine  Gun  Battalion,  see  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion; 

See  also,  65th  Brigade,  66th  Brigade, 
58th  F.  A.  Brigade 


Thirty-third  Division,  French,  148 

Thompson,  First  Lieutenant  Magnus  P., 
(io8th  Field  Signal  Battalion),  review, 
Chicago,  294 

Thorman,  First  Lieutenant  J.  L.  (British 
Military  Mission),  309 

Thorneycroft,  Private  Mathew  (131st 
Infantry),  decorated,  439 

Three  Hundred  Eighth  Regiment,  Heavy 
Artillery,  French,  85,  95,  330 

Three  Hundred  Eighth  Trench  Mortar 
Battery,  U.  S.,  244 

Three  Hundred  Eleventh  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  U.S.,  386;  relieved  by  123rd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  176,  387 

Three  Hundred  Fifteenth  Infantry,  U.S., 
174.381 

Three  Hundred  Fifth  Cavalry,  U.S.,  313 

Three  Hundred  Fourteenth  Infantry, 
U.S.,  relieved  by  129th  Infantry,  174, 
176,386 

Three  Hundred  Nineteenth  Infantry, 
U.S.,  supports  66th  Brigade,  70,  73, 
74,  84,  85,  86,  332 

Three  Hundred  Seventieth  Infantry, 
U.S.,  formerly  8th  Illinois  Infantry,  308 

Three  Hundred  Sixteenth  Infantry,  U.S., 
relieved  by  132nd  Infantry,  Troyon- 
sur-Meuse  operations,  174,  176 

Three  Hundred  Tenth  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  U.S.,  relieved  by  122nd 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Troyon-sur- 
Meuse,  177,  386 

Three  Hundred  Thirteenth  Infantry, 
U.S.,  at  Connecticut  subsector,  385, 
387 

Three  Hundred  Twelfth  Machine  Gun 
Battalion,  U.S.,  relieved  by  124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion,  Troyon-sur- 
Meuse,  176,  385-387 

Three  Hundred  Twentieth  Infantry,  U.S., 
relieved  by  130th  Infantry,  87 

Three  Hundred  Twenty-second  Field  Ar- 
tillery, U.S.,  244 

Tilly-sur-Meuse,  164,  176,  194,  325,  385, 
386,  397,  400,  402,  423,  428 

Todd,  Brigadier  General  Henry  D.  (58th 
F.  A.  Brigade),  310,  317,  437;  acting 
commander,  33rd  Division,  3,  4,  6,  8, 
10,  31;  assigned  to  58th  F.  A.  Brigade, 
Fort  Logan,  305;  commands  ist  Divi- 
sion artillery,  238;  commands  91st 
Division  artillery,  243;  conference  at 
Stenay,  with  General  Bell,  260,  271, 
274;  letter  to,  from:  General  McCoy, 
commending  58th  F.  A.  Brigade,  248; 
General    Winans,    commending    58th 


INDEX 


491 


F.  A.  Brigade,  248; 

resumes    command,     254;     reviews, 
294,  308;  sent  to  San  Antonio,  Tex., 
308;  wounded,  250 
Toul,  60,  435;   headquarters  of  Second 
Army,  U.S.,  175;  visited  by  Division 
Staff,  262 
Toul  sector,  235,  236,  296 
Tournier,  Lieutenant  Leon  (French  Mili- 
tary Mission),  310 
Toutelange,  44 1 
Transports:  235,  317,  440; 

Adriatic,  317; 

Agamemnon,  317; 

America,  448; 

Charleston,  448; 

City  of  Poona,  317; 

Covington,  317,  318; 

George  Washington,  317; 

Harrisburg,  448; 

Kaiserin  Augusta  Victoria,  448; 

Kashmir,  235,  317; 

Kronprinz  Friedrich  Wilhelm,  448; 

Lenape,  317; 

Leviathan,  23'i 

Mauretania,  317; 

Melita,  317; 

Mount  Vernon,  448; 

President  Lincoln,  317,  318; 

Scotian,  317; 

Siboney,  448 
Trenches: 

Anatolie,  107; 

Berny,  70; 

Besace,  70; 

Cabestan,  158,  2SS->  356,  358,  371; 

Cervaux,  70; 

Cobar,  45; 

De  Balis,  reached,  104,  taken,  107, 

355; 

De  Heraclee,.  128,  149, 162,355,  356; 

D'Hopital,  119,  136,  141,  149; 

De  Koutahia,  134,  14O; 

De  la  Roue,  87; 

De  la  Vanne,  123,  126,  132,  357; 

De  Magabe,  147; 

De  Teton,  94,  95,  96,  97;  neutral- 
ized, 338,  340,  341,  344, 349; 

Du  Bois  Jure,  62,  63; 

Du  Bois  Rond,  6y, 

Du  Cable,  119,  124,  131,  137,  142, 
360; 

Du  Cabestan,  158,  355,  358,  371; 

Du  Moulin  de  Saulx,  187,  190,  194, 

■  198,  390»394>395; 

La  Grande  Tranchee    de    Calonne, 

■  177,386; 

Lenime,  70; 


Pear,  40; 
Rascasse,  82; 
Vaire,  40; 
Vaux  Setif,  81 

Tresauvaux,  187,  418;  gas  attack,  208 

Treves,  266,  289 

Tronville-en-Barrois,  division  headquar- 
ters, 54,  55,  325,  441 

Troster,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Oliver  T., 
G-i,  33rd  Division,  260 

Trovon-Chaillon  sector,  189,  210,  337, 
388 

Troyon  sector,  178,  210,  262,  377,  381, 
386,  388,  400;  artillery  units,  387; 
importance  of,  219;  operations  in,  173— 
190,  190-234 

Troyon-sur-Meuse,  177,  208,  210,  258, 
417,  423,  428,  450;  division  headquar- 
ters, 178,  183,  185 

Truesdell,  Major  Karl  (Division  Signal 
Officer),  leaves  for  France,  23 

Tuntingen,  272,  438 

Tuttle,  Major  Herman  H.,  assistant  sur- 
geon of  33rd  Division,  305 

Twelfth   Battalion    (London   Regiment), 

324       .  ... 

Twenty-eighth  Division,  U.S.,  210;  as- 
signed to  1st  Corps,  U.S.,  Meuse- 
Argonne  campaign,  329;  captures:  Bois 
des  Haravillers,  212;  Bois  des  Haudron- 
villes,  212; 

rejoined  by  55th  F.  A.  Brigade, 
Woinville,  272;  relieves  39th  Division, 
French,  177,  179 

Twenty-first  Field  Artillery,  U.S.,  314 

Twenty-ninth  Division,  U.S.,  102,  118, 
127,  135,  345,  349,  360;  assigned  to  1st 
Corps,  U.S.,  329;  attack  on  La  Grande 
Montagne,  146,  150,  156,  367;  captures 
La  Grande  Montagne,  153-156,  372; 
captures  Molleville  Clearing,  154;  mis- 
sion, to  assure  possession  of  La  Grande 
Montagne,  156;  part  of  17th  Corps, 
French,  near  Beaumont,  344;  sup- 
ports i8th  Division,  French,  151; 
supported  by:  33rd  Division,  146;  52nd 
F.  A.  Brigade,  142 

Twenty-seventh  Division,  U.S.,  unit 
from,  attached  to  33rd  Division,  Tron- 
ville  area,  55 

Twenty-sixth  Division,  U.S.,  assigned  to 
2nd  Colonial  Corps,  French,  Meuse- 
Argonne  campaign,  329;  relieves:  i8th 
Division,  French,  near  Molleville 
Ferme,  146,  154;  stationed  at  Verdun, 
102 

Twenty-sixth  Division,  French,  440; 
assigned  to  2nd  Colonial  Corps, 


492 


THE  33RD  DIVISION 


French,  Meuse-Argonne  campaign, 
329;  Meuse  operations,  loi,  102,  104, 
118,  131,  I46,  151,  156;  part  of  17th 
Corps,  French,  near  Beaumont,  344 

Two  Hundred  Tenth  Regiment,  German, 
St.  Hilaire  sector,  196 

Two  Hundred  Third  Field  Artillery, 
French,  250,  254 

Two  Hundred  Thirty-second  Reserve 
Infantry  Regiment,  German,  145 

Two  Hundred  Twelfth  Field  Artillery, 
French,   89,  330,  331,  336 

Universities,  see  Schools 

United  States  Navy,  Texas  oil  supply,  10 

Vacherauville,  327 

Vachere,  see  Bois  la  Vachere 

Vahl,  Private  Albert  A.  (124th  Machine 
Gun  Battalion),  416 

Vaire,  Bois  de,  38,  39 

Vaire  Trench,  40 

Valdahon,  236;  army  artillery  school, 
282;  training  area  for  58th  F.  A. 
Brigade,  235,  299 

Vanne,  Tranchee  de  la,  123,  126,  132,  357 

Vauquois,  244 

Vaux  de  la  Mille  Mais,  123 

Vaux  de  Mille  Mais,  Ravin  de  la,  121,  156 

Vaux-Setif,  81 

Vaux-sur-Somme,  position  of  131st  Infan- 
try, 45 

Velaines,  32<; 

Venerable,  Corporal  (io8th  Field  Signal 
Battalion),  346 

Verdun,  55,  60,  65,  66,  6~i,  68,  102,  298, 
329,  441;  attack  on,  166-167;  citadel  of, 
159,  162,  163,  166;  sector,  56,  57,  297, 
383;  strength  of,  64 

Verdun-Sedan  road,  72,  77 

Versailles,  321 

Very,  245,  246 

Very,  Bois  de,  6^ 

Vianden,  Division  Training  Centre,  273, 
276,  285,439 

Vieux,  Bois,  205,  419 

Vi6ville,  423;  Centre  of  Resistance,  395, 
.396 

Vignacourt,  division  entrainment,  54 

Vigneulles-les-Hattonchatel,  240 

Ville,  Bois  la,  see  Bois  la  Ville 

Ville-en-Woevre,  191,  212 

Villeneuve  Ferme,  113;  exploitation  ob- 
jective, 120,  135,  142,367 

Villers-Bretonneux,  front,  323 

Villers-sur-Meuse,  162,  185 

Villerupt,  430 


Ville-sur-Cousances,  244-245,  249 

Ville-sur-Yron,  405 

Villotte,  242 

Vilosnes  Ravine,  376,  377 

Vilosnes-sur- Meuse,    90,    159,    338,   34I, 

.377.  ,    , 

Vionville,  attack  on,  211 
Virton,  438 
Volker   Stellung,    broken    through,    115; 

objective  of  American  Army,    62,   65, 

66 
Vraincourt,  rest  for  108th  Trench  Mortar 

Battery,  249 

Waco  (Tex.),  Camp  MacArthur,  314 

Wadonville,  186,  196,  200,  203,  391,  395, 
400,  413,  414,  421 

Wagstaff,  Brigadier  General  Cyril  M., 
confers  British  decorations,  274,  275; 
inspects  131st  Infantry,  275;  letter 
from,  to  General  Bell,  440 

Waldbredemus,  440,  442 

Walonsevaux,  Ravin  de,  108 

War  Department,  i,  309,  312,  314,  315 

War  Risk  Insurance,  17,  20,  310 

War  With  Germany,  The,  A  Statistical 
Summary,  by  Colonel  Leonard  P. 
Ayers,  450 

Waring,  Major  Roane  (Adjutant,  65th 
Brigade),  405;  G-3,  33rd  Division,  260; 
discharged,  277 

Warken,  434 

Warloy-Baisieux  line,  37 

Warville,  202 

Warville  Woods,  see  Bois  de  Warville 

Wasserbillig,  432;  evacuated,  286 

Watkin,  Mechanic  Anton  J.  (131st  Infan- 
try), decorated,  439 

Wellenstein,  440,  442 

Wemyss,  Admiral,  first  armistice  confer- 
ence, 199 

Wetzstein  (15th  Landwehr  Regiment), 
219 

Weygand,  General,  first  armistice  confer- 
ence, 199 

White,  Lieutenant  Chester  1.  (124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion),  363,  410 

White,  Major  John  D.  (124th  Field  Artil- 
lery), 30 

White,  Brigadier  General  W.  A.,  23 

Wickhan,  Private  Gordon  (131st  Infan- 
try), decorated,  439 

Wigglesworth,  Captain  Robert  (132nd 
Infantry),  at  St.  Hilaire,  218,  224,  416 

Williams,  Major  General  (30th  Division, 
British),  36 

Williams,  Sergeant  Castle  C.  (124th 
Machine  Gun  Battalion),  killed,  343 


INDEX 


493 


Willis,  Major  J.  M.  (commander  Base 
Hospital),  20,  309 

Wilson,  Captain  William  M.  (131st  Infan- 
try), 195,  205,214,  408 

Winans,  Brigadier  General  Edwin  B. 
(32nd  Division),  letter  from,  to  General 
Todd,  commending  58th  F.  A.  Brigade, 
248 

Wingate,  Brigadier  General  George  Al- 
bert (27th  Division),  55 

Winterfield,  General  von,  German  pleni- 
potentiary, 200 

Woel,  195,  217,  259,  387,  391,  397,  401, 
412,415,421 

Woel-Doncourt  road,  40 1,  402 

Woel-Jonville  road,  397,  415 

Woel-St.  Benoit-en-Woevre,  posts,  185 

Woevre,  197 

Woevre  plain,  388 

Woimbey,  174,  194,  386 

Woinville,  259,  272 

Woinville  area,  272,  436,  437 

Woivrotte,  Bois  de  la,  405 

Wolf,  Brigadier  General  Paul  A.  (66th 
Brigade),  62,  116,  147,  169,  207, 
217.  3i7»  357>  368;  assigned  to  division, 
21;  at  Chateau  de  Meysembourg,  269; 
attack  against  Butgneville,  223;  cap- 


tains A.  E.  F.  team  at  Le  Mans,  448; 

decorated,  288,  291,  448;  orders  raid 

against  St.  Hilaire,  194;  visits  General 

Bell,  274 
Wollmeringen,  430 
Wood,   Colonel    Frank   S.    (5th    Illinois 

Infantry),  306;  relieved  of  command, 

26 
Wood,  Lieutenant   Hamilton  L.    (130th 

Infantry),  355 
Wood,  Major  General  Leonard,  reviews 

troops,  Chicago,  449 
Woods  subsector,  366 
Woodward,   Private   Dickson  A.    (131st 

Infantry),  decorated,  439 
Woodward,    Major    Jabish    H.     (130th 

Infantry),  account  of  130th  Infantry 

patrols,  Fresnes-Riaville,  203 
Woolfolk,  J,  M.  (Adjutant  General),  280 
Wormeldingen,  286 
Worthington,  Lieutenant^  T.,  Jr.  (io8th 

Mobile  Ordnance  Repair  Shop),  317 
Wright,  Major  General  William  M.  (35th 

Division),  36 
Wuillebaubois  ravine,  122-123,  ^3^ 

Ypres,  battle  of,  197 

Zolla,  Lieutenant  Norman,  M.  C.  (2nd 
Illinois  Field  Hospital),  306 


MAR,?i  I92S 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY 


0035523476 


